Watson honoured by Monifieth Golf Links
The Courier UK – By Graeme Strachan – July 20, 2016
“Tom Watson was honoured in Monifieth when he returned to the scene of the first links course he ever played on Wednesday night.
The five-time Open champion drove off the first Medal tee in front of Monifieth Links Trust members to re-enact his first shot on a links course.
In 1975, the then 25-year-old played Monifieth Medal after he discovered nearby Carnoustie was closed for practice games ahead of his first Open.
Watson – who stopped off ahead of his preparations for today’s Senior Open first-round – was presented with an honorary life membership and a plaque was embedded in the first tee to mark his return to where it all began.”
Watson Returns To Where It All Began
European Tour – June 13, 2016
“Tom Watson has confirmed that he will make a sentimental journey to where it all began when he returns to Carnoustie, the scene of his first Open Championship victory, next month in search of a fourth Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex.
It was back in 1975 that Watson rolled up at the famous Scottish links course, only to discover that he could not play a practice round on the Sunday because the course was closed due to the qualifying competitions being held that day.
Watson then played the first round of links golf in his life at nearby Monifieth, but showed he was a quick learner by going on to capture the first of five Open Championships at the initial attempt, beating Australian Jack Newton in an 18-hole play-off.
So began a love affair with the Home of Golf which has entered a fifth decade, and Watson cannot wait to take a trip down memory lane from July 21-24, when he attempts to add to the Senior Open titles he won in 2003, 2005 and 2007 – all of them in Scotland.”