The Case for Tom Watson's Exemption Into the US Open (That We Don't Need to Make)
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 17, 2010 12:03 PM EST
in Pro Golf
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PrintGet on board the gravy train to Exemptionville! Everyone else is by suggesting that Tom Watson should get one last crack at Pebble in the US Open - site of his classic 1982 triumph over Jack Nicklaus.
It's not without good reason. Between Watson nearly winning the Open Championship in July, his Champ Tour win in a duel over Fred Couples last month, and an 8th in Dubai recently, there is no denying Watson is on form. And, frankly, whether he stays on form for much longer is a point of contention so the USGA may as well cash in right now. After all, despite what TMZ tells you, no one knows for sure when Tiger will return and the USGA is going to have a huge ratings gap in primetime versus 2008's Torrey experiment without a draw.
Doug Ferguson reports that the USGA is saying "not so fast" to that idea, with Watson having to wait closer to May to find out his fate.
The USGA's Mike Davis told Ferguson: "The decision was that our committee is going to look at it in April. They feel like if there's any special exemption, they want to look at it closer to the time of the Open."
Davis also acknowledged the point of being on form closer to the Open itself than when the exemption is granted.
Adam Schupak is on the story as well, noting that Watson and outgoing USGA President Jim Vernon were fraternity buddies at Stanford.
Watson is a four-time recipient of the exemption, including the last time that Pebble hosted the Open. (Hint: Miguel Angel Jimenez finished in second, 15 behind Tiger Woods.)
Sentimental value is great and all. So, too, is a legendary reputation. But Watson fits none of the 17 exemption categories to get him into the Open. Watson nearly fits into category 4 of Open Champions of the last five years.
Were he able to play an aggressive schedule in Europe or the PGA Tour and continue to show form, Watson could conceivably get into the top 50 of the OWGR by the end of May. He would have to gain basically one point on his average between now and then. It's not to say that it would be easy or even all the feasible, but it is conceivable.
And Watson is 16th in Ryder Cup points. Need I reminder you: he's 60. If Nicklaus could nearly do it at Augusta in '98, then Watson surely could at Pebble in '10.
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Ah.....
Jimenez finished tied for 2nd with Ernie Els at the 2000 U.S. Open. The Big Easy was solo 2nd or tied for 2nd at the first three majors that particular year.
RB – you’re getting to be a true “journalist”…despite our better hopes. An article with such good intentions just has to deteriorate into Tiger Woods and TMZ just two paragraphs in.
Wow – Dougie can read a calendar, eh ? What a talented guy. May is when special exemptions are handed out.
And Adam Schupak – I checked the USGA rules – there is NO “frat boy” exemption. Thanks for playing.
I’m with you RB – history speaks for itself. Watson came within inches of winning the British last year – he has always played well at Pebble – he has one of THE greatest shots ever in a US Open at Pebble – and he’s 60 years old – what would it hurt ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Seldom remembered
When talking great US Open shots at Pebble, is Tom Kite holing it from the rough on the 7th hole on Sunday. Kite didn’t have Watson’s lie, but Watson wasn’t playing in gale force winds either. Players were blowing up left and right
Scott Simpson 88
Gil Morgan 81
Ray Floyd 81
Mark Brooks 84
Morgan and Brooks were in the top 3 going into the final 18 holes. Floyd and Simpson were in contention. That was the year ABC or namely Jack Nicklaus was congratulating Colin Montgomerie on his win. Oops, CM who finished hours ahead of the last groupings, finished solo 3rd.
Jack Nicklaus at the 72 U.S. Open knocked down the flag stick at 17 with a 1-iron.(Ball landed right next to the cup and stayed there) The conditions were abysmal then too. Nicklaus shot a final round 74 and it was like a 68 at least. There were only 2 final rounds 72 or lower. Mason Rudolph shot a closing 70 to finish 17 shots back.
No a lob wedge
at the 7th hole. The article says Kite made a great par save at 17. This article was written the day after play, if Kite holed out on 17 for par it would have gotten greater play.
Also here is exactly what Jack Nicklaus said to Montgomerie at 18.
“Congratulations on your first U.S. Open victory.”
It proved to be reminiscent of Nicklaus himself being congratulated by Jack Whitaker in the scorer’s tent in 1982 when he was tied for the lead, just moments before Tom Watson holed “The Shot” on the par-3 17th that undid him.
“Just as Jack said it, Kite chipped in,” said Montgomerie. “Then he just turned away.”
Who knew it, but Jack jinxed Colin all those years ago. He’s still looking for his first U.S. Open victory or any major victory.
Here is the NY Times article telling what happened on Sunday that year.
Unless he deserves an exemption with his play
He shouldn’t get in
Someone is currently busting their ass on the course right now trying to get in
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