Tom Watson squandered a glorious chance of capturing the USPGA Championship at Houston GC in 1978, when victory would eventually have meant joining the elite group who had won all four "major" titles. And typically, he wasn't prepared to claim compensation in a Senior PGA Championship triumph on Sunday.
"It makes up for it a little bit," he conceded of his one-stroke victory over Jim Thorpe which brought a cheque for $360,000. "I had the Wanamaker Trophy (for the USPGA title) in my sights a couple of times and I let it get away in 1978. But I'm so darned happy winning this tournament. It's very, very sweet."
With nine, top-10 finishes in the USPGA, Watson has much in common with Arnold Palmer for whom it also proved elusive, especially when he shared second place in 1964, 1968 and 1970. But even four months from his 52nd birthday, he hasn't given up hope and will be taking his place in this year's event at the Atlanta GC on August 16th to 19th.
Meanwhile, those Watson fans who watched the telecast of Sunday's triumph would have had moments of high anxiety when he three-putted the 14th, missing from the critical distance of about three feet. The consequent bogey against a birdie from playing companion Jim Thorpe, meant that his lead was cut from three strokes to one.
"I yanked it left, I guess," he said afterwards. "The ball really curved so I guess maybe I looked up and put some spin on it. But it was a lousy putt."
He added: "Even after that mistake, I still had confidence in my game that I could do it. And I was still making some good strokes with the putter, even though my short strokes are still what you might call suspect. My longer strokes, outside eight feet, are good. But inside about six feet, watch out. Anything can happen."
Putting was not a factor in his loss in 1978 when a closing round of 73 allowed John Mahaffey to close a seven-stroke gap in a final round of 66, so forcing a play-off with Watson and Jerry Pate. Mahaffey went on to win the title with a 12-foot birdie putt on the second tie hole.
Since the mid-1980s, however, it is reckoned that continuing problems with the blade cost Watson two or possibly three major titles. Indeed he must still shiver at the memory of the British Open at Turnberry in 1994 when, having moved into a winning position in the final round, he eventually yipped his way to a dismal 74 to finish eight strokes behind the winner, Nick Price.
Meanwhile, given the shock to the system which the missed putt at the 14th must have caused, it speaks volumes for Watson's competitive steel that he managed to coax a two and a half footer into the hole for a par at the 17th.
"I always appreciate winning, no matter what age I happen to be," said the player who has 43 world-wide victories to his credit, including five British Opens, two US Masters and the US Open of 1982. "They all meant a lot to me, from my first, which was the 1974 Western Open, to the 1998 Colonial which, at this point, is the last tournament I have won on the regular tour."
His countless admirers will wish the centenary captain of Ballybunion many more wins.
