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Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, The 10 Best Duels in U.S. Open History


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2. 1982 Tom Watson vs. Jack Nicklaus
282-284

As a Stanford student in the late 1960s, Tom Watson would drive down to Pebble Beach and fantasize that he and Jack Nicklaus were competing head-to-head for the U.S. Open title. In 1982, fantasy became reality. Tied with two holes to play, Watson hit a 2-iron long and into the dense rough at the par-3 17th. "Get it close," said his caddie, Bruce Edwards. "Get it close?" responded Watson. "Hell, I'm going to make it."

Watson backed up his bravado by scything his sand wedge through the cabbage and popping his ball onto the green, where he watched it take two short bounces and roll like a putt — directly into the cup. One last birdie at 18 sealed the deal.

Credit: Bettman/Corbis

 

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