Watson's true blue to Greenbrier
Tom Watson is a man of his word. At first, it seemed peculiar that the 61-year-old Watson was entered to play in The Greenbrier rather than the US Senior Open.
Watson, the pro emeritus at Greenbrier, couldn’t play in the inaugural PGA Tour event at the West Virginia resort because he was already committed to competing at the Senior Open. But he promised Greenbrier owner Jim Justice that he would play this year.
“To his credit, after I won the Senior PGA, Jim called me and said, ‘I don’t want to put any pressure on you to play. If you want to play in the U.S. Senior Open, I know how much it means to you to play in that,’” Watson said Tuesday. “Very simply I said, ‘Jim, I made a commitment to you and I’m sticking to it.’ So here I am.”
He was part of the 1979 Ryder Cup team at the Greenbrier, and his ex-wife went into labor at home in Kansas City, Mo. Justice’s father used a company plane to fly him home for the birth of his daughter, Meg.
Watson saw enough of the place to fall in love with it. He started bringing his sponsors to the Greenbrier and has done that for the past 30 years. Then, he was asked to replace Sam Snead as the pro emeritus.
Justice said it “means volumes” for Watson to be playing, especially considering what he is giving up this week.
“Tom Watson told us he would be here and that was the end of that,” Justice said.
Pretty classy move by Watson. It’s a long-shot for him to win at Greenbrier (or perhaps even make the cut), while on the other hand, he very well could win another major. Well, it’s just a senior event, after all — we all know it’s the four main majors that really count.
(AP Photo/Sang Tan)
And this great friend Jim Justice couldn’t release him from his promise to go defend his major title, and come back next year?
Sorry this one still smells like money to me. Also wonder how much Phil is getting
@Shoshana, did you even read the story…Justice told him he would understand if Tom wanted to go play the Sr. Open. But Tom honored HIS commitment. It was a very classy move by Tom and sounds like they really are good friends…
I guess I’m naive but I think it is that simple. Phil’s kids like the rides, and Tom wants to keep his word. There might be favors to be named later but I don’t think it’ll be money, they both have plenty.
Yeah bc Phil can’t afford to do that with his kids anytime on a week he isn’t playing golf
Maybe I’m just cynical
No, you’re not just cynical, Shoshana.
But first thing that popped into my head was the “designated tournament” policy that was surprisingly voted down last year. http://www.cbssports.com/golf/story/14312876/tour-designates-designatedtournament-proposal-for-trash-heap
The objective was to get top players (Tiger and Phil) to play at tour stops that traditionally have “weaker fields.” Ultimately, the tournament directors were against it because they didn’t want to the stigma of being a “second-rate” event, so that’s why it didn’t pass ultimately. Instead, Commissioner Finchem said he’d ask players to step up and help. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phil got a phone call from someone important to do the tourney a “favor.”
Or, maybe Phil just really wanted to take his kids to the falconry and go white-water rafting.
a shinIng example in an increasingly cynical world. They don’t make them like Mr Watson any more. Mind you, credit to Rory, GMac, Darren and Padraig for being at and promoting the Irish Open this year especially as the Eurozone meltdown decimated the funding. US Tour pros don’t know how good they have it. Well they better hope the dollar doesn’t go the way of the Euro!
@Shoshana – Watson does not have to choose between his word and defending a Senior major this week. He has never won the US Senior Open.
Could be normal that somebody fulfill a promise ( any promise), nowaday is something to be post… We are lucky that there are man like Tom Watson that help us to remember how would be the relationship …. Thanks Tom never stot to play is more important for us than for you
Sorry to many senior majors, lost track
Speaking of turning down a major to fulfill a commitment…
So Yeon Ryu is so committed to the Korean tour that she turned down an invitation to the Women’s British Open, earned as a result of her win at the Women’s U.S. Open, and instead came home for a KLPGA event that starts Friday.
“I’d already promised to play over here, and I can play the British Open next year,” Ryu said, adding her immediate goal this year is to win the Korean money title.”
http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/US-Womens-Open-champ-Ryu-eyes-full-LPGA-season-in-2012-41230925