Watson Wins Senior PGA
PARAMUS, N.J. — Tom Watson finally has a PGA title, and a career Grand Slam of sorts.
Watson shot a five-under 67 Sunday to win the Senior PGA Championship by one shot over Jim Thorpe.
Thorpe, who missed three birdie putts of less than 10 feet on the back nine, had a chance to force a playoff, but missed a six-footer at No. 18 that would have tied Watson at 14-under 274. Thorpe closed with a 68.
Bob Gilder shared the lead with Watson and Thorpe entering the final round of the second senior major of the year.
He finished third, two shots behind Thorpe and one ahead of Allen Doyle.
Watson, 51, won five British Opens, two Masters and one U.S. Open.
“You don’t know how grateful I am that the PGA now has a name Watson on it, after all these years,†he said.
On the final hole, Watson failed to convert a long birdie putt, but Thorpe couldn’t convert.
“I didn’t make enough putts to win,†Thorpe said. “I played well enough tee to green, hit a lot of good shots. I just didn’t make the putts.â€
Gilder shot his second consecutive 70. He got to 11-under after six holes but parred out the rest of the way.
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