Grow the game
FIVE-TIME CHAMPION GOLFER
TOM WATSON BECOMES GLOBAL
AMBASSADOR FOR THE OPEN
F
ive-time Champion Golfer of the Year Tom
Watson has been appointed as the first ever
Global Ambassador for The Open, golf’s
original Championship.
Watson returned to the scene of his first triumph
in The Open, on his debut in 1975 at Carnoustie,
last month to formally begin the role which will
see him promoting golf’s most international
major championship around the world.
“I am honoured and very much look forward
to be the Global Ambassador of The Open,”
said Watson. “It’s a role in which I am keenly
interested because of the ever expanding global
interest and importance of The Open as what is
truly ‘The World’s Open’.”
The 68-year-old bid an
emotional farewell to The
Open at St Andrews in 2015
when he waved to fans from
the Swilcan Bridge. Watson
followed up his triumph
at Carnoustie with wins at
Turnberry in 1977, at Muirfield
in 1980, at Royal Troon in 1982
and Royal Birkdale in 1983. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A
said, “Tom Watson is one of the finest golfers
ever to have graced the sport and has enjoyed
an extraordinary career in
The Open over many years.
He has a special place in
the hearts of generations of
golf fans who have followed
him and will always be
remembered for the great
joy he has given us with
his incredible golf, warm
personality and exemplary
conduct.
Watson came close to a sixth
triumph in The Open at St Andrews in 1984
before a late charge from Seve Ballesteros and,
at the age of 59, nearly won the Championship
at Turnberry in 2009 before losing out to Stewart
Cink in a play-off. He made 38 appearances in the
Championship overall. “We have worked closely
with Tom for a number of years and when we
began to consider an ambassadorial role for the
Championship he was an obvious candidate. We
are delighted that Tom will continue to be part
of The Open and will help us to further grow the
Championship in the years to come.”
Watson is tied with Australia’s Peter Thomson as
well as James Braid and JH Taylor on five victories,
one fewer than the third member of the ‘Great
Triumverate’ who has the most victories, Harry
Vardon. In his role as Ambassador for The Open Watson
will take part in a range of promotional and
media activities on behalf of the Championship
and will attend The 147th Open at Carnoustie,
which is played from 15-22 July.
In 2014, Watson’s exemption was extended to
enable him to compete in the following year’s
Championship and he was presented with a
commemorative solid silver Player’s Badge
by The R&A in recognition of his outstanding
contribution to The Open over more than 40
years. Watson is also an Honorary Member of The Royal
and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
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For more information about The 147th Open
including tickets visit:
https://tickets.theopen.com/
The Golf Marketing Professionals I www.golfindustrycentral.com.au