Tom Watson Enjoys Augusta Glory Once Again with Memorable Round at 2015 Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The last we saw or heard of Tom Watson, a classy guy who had the misfortune of being the captain of an American Ryder Cup team that vocally disagreed with his leadership, he was being torn down by much of the media and some of the golfers—most notably Phil Mickelson.

Europe whipped the United States in the Cup matches last September, and then Watson took his own figurative whipping. He was old, the team was young. He berated his own squad. Mickelson berated him.

“Nobody here was in on any decision,” Mickelson told reporters (H/T ESPN.com) at the time about strategy, pairings and the generally negative attitude portrayed by Watson. Meaning nobody but Watson.

The PGA of America, responsible for the selection of the U.S. captain and personnel, went into panic mode and created a task force. The world seemed to be coming to an end. And ultimately, Watson was replaced as captain by Davis Love III.

Watson, however, stayed his own course. He’s a champion, having won every major except the PGA Championship. If he didn’t properly connect the dots, or connect the players who might work with one another to a maximum, that didn’t mean he doesn’t know anything about the game.

On Thursday, the first day of the 2015 Masters, Watson knew more than enough. On a humid, 98-degree afternoon, at a course famous for the winners it helped create—including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Watson himself—Watson, 65, became the oldest ever to shoot a subpar round at Augusta National with a one-under 71.

Though it couldn't change the outcome of the 2014 Ryder Cup, it at least changed our perception of Watson. He’s no longer the evil stepfather, the man who kicked Santa Claus, which is how he had been portrayed. Losing the Ryder Cup doesn’t mean you sold state secrets to a foreign nation.

Watson even said a genial hello to Mickelson—who had his own fine day with a 70—and went out and made three birdies and an eagle against three bogies. Woods would have loved to have been so proficient.

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

“Old age and treachery,” said Watson, joking about how he prepared for this Masters. “I’ve played the golf course enough times to know where I’m supposed to hit it.”

Forty-two times to be exact, starting as an amateur in 1970—or 23 years before first-round leader Jordan Spieth was born. On two of those occasions, 1977 and 1981, Watson finished first. That likely won’t happen this year. After all, the oldest Masters winner ever was a 46-year-old named Jack Nicklaus in 1986.

But that didn't prevent Watson from being able to take a stroll down memory Magnolia Lane. Now, after the derision of last autumn come the cheers and reaffirmation of April.

Six years ago, Watson almost became oldest major champion in history at age 59. Almost. He bogeyed the 72nd hole and was beaten in a four-hole playoff by Stewart Cink for the 2009 Open Championship.

That was a last hurrah, or so we thought.

“I struggled the last few years,” he said. As a golfer that is, not a team administrator. When asked if away from the pressures of the Ryder Cup he was now free of the responsibility of grading others, Watson said, “I don’t ever worry about anybody else’s game.”

For a captain, now a former captain, that can be interpreted two ways: He had no control over the games of those who would play for him on the Ryder Cup team, or he had no control over or concern about those he played against in competition...presumably the latter.

“My ego got involved too much the last few years,” said Watson of playing the Masters, where winners are lifetime invitees. “I tried to hit shots like I used to when I know I had to hit my best shot. Today, I just kind of played within myself.

“It’s fun to be in red figures at Augusta National. At my age that’s a minor miracle.”

After the Ryder Cup, pain and bewilderment, it’s a miracle perhaps that Watson is willing to challenge both the game and those who rebuked him. It would have been easier to withdraw and hide away. But that’s not Watson.

And Mickelson? “We just said hello, and that was that,” said Watson. To this point, at least. Mickelson is strong-willed and outspoken. The issue will likely rise again.

“Perfect conditions,” said Watson of his good day at Augusta. “The golf course was there for the taking.”

Watson took enough. There he was on the leaderboard, tied with last year’s winner, Bubba Watson, and the prohibitive pre-tournament favorite this year, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy.

“I want to make the cut,” he said. “I haven’t done [that] for a few years.”

Just to have the chance is a victory, especially after defeat in the Ryder Cup.