Tom Watson Named Honorary Starter at 2022 Masters
The Masters has announced that golf legend Tom Watson will join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter at the 2022 tournament.
“Augusta National in April is one of my favorite places to be. With the many fond memories of both watching the Masters as a youngster and then competing in the Tournament for so many years, I am greatly honored to join my friends and fellow competitors, Jack and Gary, as an Honorary Starter in this upcoming Masters. In both of my victories, Jack was on my heels. And when Gary won his third Tournament in 1978, I was there to help him put on the Green Jacket. Moments like those stand out in my career, and the opportunity to share the Honorary Starter tradition with Jack, Gary and the Masters patrons will be very special,” said Watson in a statement.
The Masters is set to begin on April 7, 2022.
Last year, Lee Elder served as an honorary starter alongside Jack and Gary.
Prior to that, Jack and Gary were the only honorary starters in the years following the passing of Arnold Palmer.
Watson at the Masters
Watson won the 1977 and 1981 Masters Tournaments and finished runner-up three times in his 15 top-10 showings at Augusta National.
He is one of 17 players to win multiple Masters Tournaments, and his 72.74 scoring average ranks fifth in Tournament history.
After competing in the Masters as an amateur in 1970, Watson made 42 consecutive starts from 1975-2016, the fifth-longest streak in Tournament history. His 58 subpar rounds are second all-time behind Nicklaus (71), and he holds the record for most consecutive years with at least one subpar round (21, 1975-1995).