World Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Watson will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, wiping out his planned appearance next month in the PNC Championship with son Michael and putting in jeopardy his role as one the first tee starters at the Masters in April.
The 73-year-old Watson was involved in an accident Monday while riding a go-kart on his Kansas farm. The vehicle rolled over and required left shoulder replacement surgery, which was conducted Friday at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans.
Watson, the winner of eight major titles among his 39 PGA Tour titles (T-10 all time), thanked his doctor, Felix “Buddy” Savoie and his “great team,” in a social media post on Sunday and added “#nopain.”
Watson only played in the PGA Tour Champions Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in January. In April, Watson made his debut as one of the starters at the Masters, joining Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in one of the tournament’s beloved traditions. In July, Watson played in the R&A’s Celebration of Champions at the 150th British Open at St. Andrews.
In his tweet, Watson is sitting up in a hospital bed, his left arm in a sling, with a spoonful of soup in his right hand and appears to be in good spirits. He noted that go-kart’s are #foryoungerguys. Get well soon, Tom.