Denis Watson

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For the political figure in Northern Ireland, see Denis Watson (politician).

Denis Leslie Watson (born 18 October 1955) is a professional golfer from Zimbabwe who tied for the most wins on the PGA Tour in 1984. Watson was born and educated in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). He was Rhodesian Sportsman of the Year in 1975, but he represented South Africa in the World Series of Golf in 1980 and 1982 - sporting connections between Rhodesia and Apartheid South Africa were blurred, for example the Rhodesian cricket team was once part of the South African domestic set-up.

Watson turned professional in 1976 and played on the European Tour from 1978 to 1980. After moving to the U.S. PGA Tour, he had his career year in 1984 when he won the Buick Open, NEC World Series of Golf, and Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational. He also finished second in the 1985 U.S. Open, losing by one shot, after incurring a two-stroke penalty on the eighth hole in the first round. The penalty was assessed after Watson waited longer than the allowed ten seconds for a putt that had hung on the lip of the hole to drop in. The putt did drop, but the birdie was disallowed and the penalty assessed (the PGA has since amended the penalty for this infraction, determining it too severe). On the final day, Watson, starting down the field, set a clubhouse target of even par (while the leaders were on the course at four under), then watched as several of those leaders dropped shots over the closing holes to fall back to, or behind, his score. Andy North was eventually the only player to beat him, by one shot despite himself bogeying the last hole.

Watson's career was subsequently marred by numerous injuries that limited him to sporadic appearances in competitive golf for more than twenty years.

After turning fifty, Watson joined the Champions Tour, and began to rediscover competitive form. He won the 2007 Senior PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, a senior major, by two strokes over Argentina's Eduardo Romero, his first win in 23 years. In one of the most remarkable comebacks ever seen in professional golf, Watson has become one of the Champions Tour's most competitive stars. He was voted the 2007 Champions Tour Rookie of the Year.