Feature Stories
Go-Kart Accident Puts Watson ’ s Golf Future On Hold
Plus , Watson ’ s Take on LIV Golf and The Future of The Game .
Words by Alan Hoskins , Feature Writer
Tom Watson will be at the 2023 Annual Watson Challenge ; however , whether or not he ’ s a player in the field is another question . A rollover go-kart accident on his Bucyrus Farm on November 14 , 2022 , has put Watson ’ s golf career very much in limbo .
“ Right now , I can ’ t swing a golf club ,” said Watson in mid-February . “ My goal is to hit the first tee shot at this year ’ s Masters nine weeks from now , but I just don ’ t know . It ’ s unknown how much usage I ’ ll have out of my arm . The doctor says I should have a measure of proficiency back — but the measure is unknown . It ’ s something you just can ’ t predict .” arms in the kart . The kart has a roll cage , and you ’ re belted in and wear a helmet and gloves . So you ’ re safe — unless you stick your arm out . I made a sharp turn and turned over , and like a fool , I put my left arm out to brace the turnover . I immediately knew I had broken it . It was painful .”
Four days later , Watson had his shoulder replaced with a prosthesis . “ A metal ball and stem were placed in my left shoulder , much like when I had my hip replacement in 2007 . Part of the joint is now metal instead of bone .” The surgery was performed by one of the nation ’ s leading orthopedic surgeons , Dr . Felix ( Buddy ) Savoie , the chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Tulane University in New Orleans .
Watson is currently undergoing a strenuous rehab program , working with a personal trainer four days a week and every day at home and in a pool . “ I ’ m just now starting to get some strength back after being pretty frustrated with how long it was taking ,” says Watson .
Whether he ’ ll be able to play in the 16th Annual Watson Challenge may be a last-minute decision . This year ’ s Watson Challenge event will be played Thursday thru Saturday , June 1-3 , at the Jack Nicklaus course at Lions Gate . “ I will definitely be there ,” he vows . His return
Tom Watson tweeted this photo in November 2022 . He noted that go-karts are # foryoungerguys . With his left arm in a sling , he appears to be in good spirits . We hope he ’ s back swinging clubs at the Watson Challenge , and elsewhere again very soon .
Watson said he broke the Golden Rule of go-karting in suffering the injury . “ I decided the grandkids needed a go-kart , and it looked so much fun I got an adult go-kart . The one thing you do is keep your
� Tom Watson to his other passion , cutting horses ( photo above ), will be much quicker . “ I ’ ll be back on a horse before I ’ ll be swinging a golf club . Riding a horse , my right hand is the active hand .” Inspired by his late wife , Hilary , Watson has been heavily involved in cutting horse competitions over the last few years .
16 April 2023 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE