PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Tom Watson loves Pebble Beach.
He has family not far from here, he helped design and develop the Links at Spanish Bay, and of course, there’s his victory in the 1982 U.S. Open where he chipped in what some have called the shot heard round the world.
He’s back this year, on a special invitation by the USGA, but don’t rule him of being out of contention even though he is 60-years-old.
He forced Stewart Cink to beat him in a playoff at the last British Open — even though Watson had a makable putt to win — and he fired a 5-under-par 67 in the opening round of the Masters this year.
He’s still a world-class golfer. But for how long?
“It’s anybody’s guess,” said Watson, who paid $15 for greens fees here about a dozen times while in college at Stanford. “I still feel, my body is in pretty good shape, and I’m hitting the ball pretty well — putting the ball pretty well.
“I don’t know. It could be a year, could be three years, could be six years.”
The longer the better, for him — and for golf.
“I hope it’s a long time, because that’s what I am,” Watson said, “I’m a golfer, plain and simple. That’s what I do. And when I can’t do it anymore on a competitive level, it’s going to be a sad day.”
A sad day for him and for golf.
Dawg pals
Having a buddy and a teammate make the trip as well has eased the pressure and nerves for University of Georgia golfers Russell Henley and Hudson Swafford.
“It takes a lot of pressure off because we get to play practice rounds together,” said Swafford, who redshirted this past season after shoulder surgery. “It’s a great feeling having a guy you can pal around with, hang out with and we’ve been messing around like we do in Athens, but it’s a little bigger scene.”
As much as he and Hudson Swafford try to make this just another tournament, it’s not for the amateurs. This is the U.S. Open and it’s at Pebble Beach.
“It seems like I’m dreaming or something,” Henley said. “Everybody has been telling me ‘Congrats’ and stuff, and when you get here, it’s different.”
Henley made national news earlier this week when he selected a 13-year-old to caddy for him in the Monday practice round.
“I just decided to ask him if he wanted to caddy,” Henley said. “I figured if I was that age, it would be pretty awesome to come out there.”
Also tagging along this week is Georgia coach Chris Haack who is also catching up with pros he knew as collegians.
“Normally I’m the one who says what time we’re getting up and when we’re going to practice, but this week, I’m their guest,” Haack said. “I want them to soak it all in and have a good time.”
Milwaukee in 2017
The USGA announced on Wednesday that the 2017 U.S. Open will be played at Erin Hills, a public course 35 miles north west of Milwaukee.
It also announced that the 2018 U.S. Amateur and the 2019 U.S. Open will be played back here at Pebble each.
“There’s a wonderful symmetry for the 2019 U.S. Open,” said Thomas O’Toole, Jr., chairman of the USGA championship committee. “Pebble Beach hosted our 100th U.S. Open in 2000. Now we’ll return to celebrate their centennial with our national championship.”
Curran content
Former Vanderbilt golfer Jon Curran arrived on the Central Coast over the weekend with little fanfare, and he won’t receive much unless he plays the tournament of his life.
“I’m not hitting every shot and looking at the stands at the people,” said Curran, who plays on the mini-tours. “It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I didn’t know because I’ve never been on this sort of scene before.”
The 2009 graduate played his final practice round Wednesday with former Vandy star Brandt Snedeker.
“I’m more anxious about going to play than how I’m going to play,” Curran said. “You have to treat it like any other tournament.”