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Masters Legends - No 9: Tom Watson

Tom Watson: Won at Augusta in 1977 and 1981

We continue our build up to Augusta by counting down the top ten all time Masters legends. Today, it's Tom Watson.

It is surprising that a man who dominated the Open Championship would only win two Masters titles, but Tom Watson's remarkable consistency at Augusta is admirable.

The Kansas legend donned the Green Jacket in 1977 and 1981, and posted an incredible 14 top-10 finishes in 17 years after going close in 1975.

Watson's final-round 67 held off the familiar late challenge of fierce rival Jack Nicklaus, who was also second best three months later in their memorable duel at Turnberry.

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He was just a shot behind Gary Player a year later, and he was pipped in a play-off in 1979 as Fuzzy Zoeller became only the third man to win on his Augusta debut.

But he again outshone Nicklaus and Johnny Miller with a two-shot win in 1981 and finished no lower than 14th in his next nine visits.

Watson's closing double-bogey gifted Ian Woosnam the title in 1991, but he took defeat like the gracious man he is and bounced back with another top-four finish in 1997.

He will always remain a welcome visitor back to Augusta, and Watson has his sights set on surpassing Player and becoming the oldest man to make it to Masters weekend.

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