Tom Watson has accepted the invitation of Augusta Masters to join Jack Nicklaus Y Gary Player in the coup of honor of the tournament. A tradition that will reach a total of 59 years in 2022 and that serves as the perfect prelude to the start of the first Grande of the year.
Tom Watson made his amateur debut in 1970 and won it twice, 1977 and 1981, the year in which he was Severiano Ballesteros who helped him put on the mythical Green jacket. Watson’s Augusta accomplishments include having played it 42 times in a row (1975 to 2016), adding 15 top-10s, three second-place finishes and amassing a hitting average of 72.74, the fifth-lowest of all time. His overall Masters finish is 58 under par, only bettered by Jack Nicklaus’ -71. Additionally, Watson holds the record for the most consecutive years signing at least one round under par. In total there are 21, between 1975 and 1995, both inclusive.
The tradition of the ceremony of the ‘Honorary Starters‘started in 1963 with John Hutchinson Y Fred McLeod, which were until 1973 and 1976 respectively. Other illustrious names who carried out this beautiful mission were Byron Nelson (81-01), Gene Sarazen (81-99), Ken Venturi (1983), Sam Snead (84-02), Arndol Palmer (07-16), Jack Nicklaus ( 10-present), Player (12-present) and Lee Elder (2021).
