Tom Watson

It would probably be true that a record sixth Open win for Tom Watson would be more popular in Britain than any win for a home player, such is the affection and admiration with which he is held in that country. He first won the Open at Carnoustie in 1975, beating Jack Newton in a play-off. He then beat Jack Nicklaus in a memorable duel at Turnberry in 1977. He won again in 1980 and, although he missed out in 1981, he won in consecutive years in 1982 and 1983. All but one of his victories were in Scotland on the great links courses. When he won his fifth Open he equalled the number of victories of J. H. Taylor, James Braid and Peter Thomson. On his own side of the Atlantic, Watson won the Masters in 1977 and 1981, and the US Open in 1982. He has never won the USPGA Championship and so has not achieved the Grand Slam of all four majors won by Nicklaus, Player, Sarazen and Hogan. It is ironic that the fortunes of Watson's career changed at the greatest hole on probably his favorite course. In 1984 at St Andrews, Watson was tied for the lead with. Severiano Ballesteros With two holes to play. At the 17th, the "Road" hole, after a perfect drive, adrenalin pumping, his second shot was too strong and finished over the green against the wall. He failed to get up and down in two as so many have before him and when Ballesteros birdied the last hole he won by two shots. All of a sudden, Watson, previously one of the best putters in the world, started having putting problems. His finest days were over.

 Severiano Ballesteros

Any list of great golfers must include Severiano Ballesteros, or "Seve" as he is known the world over, even though his tally of major tournaments is less than at one time it seemed it would be. He burst on the golfing scene aged nineteen at Royal Birkdale when he finished second in the Open, tying with Jack Nicklaus behind Johnny Miller. In 1979 he won the first of his three Opens and won the Masters in 1980 and 1983. At the height of his powers he was an enormously exciting player, hitting the ball vast distances from the tee, not always dead straight, and then manufacturing miraculous recovery shots. In addition to the majors, Seve has won 46 European Tour events and the World Matchplay Championship on four occasions. There is no doubt that he would have won more often but for a back problem which has restricted his swing for a number of years. He is perhaps best known for his advocacy of the Ryder Cup, which, after the inclusion of players from all European countries, has become a competition ferociously contested every two years between the top golfers in the USA and Europe. His record as an inspiration to the team has been outstanding and he is due to be captain of the European team in 1997, when the event will be held at his home course at Valderrama.