Tom

Watson

Per the release, Fred Ridley, the Chairman of Augusta National, stated, “I am honored that Tom has accepted our invitation. I look forward to commemorating his love for the game and impact on the Masters with his millions of fans across the globe as he hits a tee shot alongside two of the Tournament’s other all-time greats, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.” Watson is a two-time Masters champion and three-time runner-up. One of 17 men to be a multiple-time Masters winner, Watson is a rightful addition to the first-tee early Thursday morning at Augusta National.

Watson last defied his age and made the cut at the 2011 British Open at Royal St. George’s. The two-time Masters champion also made the cut after opening with a 5-under 67 in the first round of the 2010 edition.

Watson gave it a go in this event last year after cashing at the British Open two weeks prior, but was unable to see the weekend. He’s kept his scheduled light in 2012, making only three starts on the Champions Tour to go with his annual pilgrimage to August National.

This fulfills the hoopla surrounding Watson since Sunday when he acknowledged in Australia that he’d love a chance to return to the helm. He captained the victorious U.S. squad at The Belfry in England in 1993. “I was waiting for about 20 years to get the call,” Watson said this morning. “I loved it the first time. I’m a great fan of the Ryder Cup. It’s a great honor to be able to do it again.” The European captain is expected to be named next month.

Everyone remembers Watson’s brush with history in 2009, nearly becoming the oldest major winner by a large margin when he fell to Stewart Cink in a playoff at Turnberry in the Open Championship. Augusta National’s length will make it tough for him to put together a similar run, as the two-time green jacket recipient has only made two of his last 15 cuts.

The former pro at Greenbrier missed the cut in 2011, then tied for 73rd last season due in part to a second-round 2-under-par 68. His schedule is evolving into a predictable pattern of playing The Open Championship and the Masters in addition to his return to The Old White TPC, while mixing in some Champions Tour starts in the middle.

With the tournament returning to the Old Course, the American legend was granted a special exemption to extend his 40-year Open career through to 2015. Watson won on his debut at Carnoustie in 1975 and collected four of his five Open wins in Scotland. Famously, he almost added a sixth as a 59-year-old in 2009 but lost a playoff to Stewart Cink at Turnberry. In his seven Opens at St. Andrews, Watson’s finishes read: 14-2-MC-31-55-41-MC. He came closest in 1984 when runner-up to Seve Ballesteros. The 65-year-old, who was T7 in the U.S. Senior Open last month, heads out on Thursday at 08:33 alongside Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker.

Watson was exempt as the 1998 champ. It was the last of 39 PGA TOUR titles. He hasn’t competed in the tournament since 2002. As an addition to the field, he will not be replaced. UPDATE: According to the Star-Telegram, Watson withdrew due to the death of mentor Stan Thirsk. The Hall of Famer will extend his condolences in person at the funeral.

With a delay of three hours and 14 minutes this morning due to heavy rain and course recovery, the suspension was inevitable. There was some confusion as to how play would end, but the general consensus was that Hall of Famer Tom Watson would get his send-off on the 18th hole. In fact, he was the last to hole out -- for bogey, unfortunately, his fifth in a row and eight of the round en route to an 8-over-par 38-42=80 and a missed cut -- before they were done for the day at St. Andrews. Of course, this was Watson’s final of 38 appearances at the season’s third major where he’s a five-time champion. Meanwhile, 42 golfers were stranded tonight. They’ll return to the course at 7:00 a.m. local time.

Watson has missed the cut in 15 of his last 17 attempts here but that doesn’t stop him from trying. At this age it’s more about the experience, and less about contending. Gamers should know this and avoid Watson in nearly all fantasy formats. The exception would be tiered pick ‘em formats where Watson is paired with a similar set of golfers.