The 5 most memorable father-son moments on the PGA Tour
There are many ways to acknowledge the love and support a son has for his dad on Father's Day.
But there may be no better way to relish in the bond - and display that compassion - than on the golf course.
Sharing profound father-son moments under the bright sky, surrounded by pristine grass on the course seems to always produce the finest memories.
PGA Tour professionals will be the first to admit that if it were not for their dads, they mostly likely wouldn't be involved in the sport. Additionally, golfers usually attest that they wouldn't be who they are if it weren't for the impact of their parents. Golfers often take the time at PGA Tour at events to thank their parents for their dedication.
In honor of fathers and golfers everywhere, we've compiled some of the best father-son moments the PGA Tour has ever witnessed.
Justin Rose dedicates U.S. Open victory to his father
Justin Rose's 2013 U.S. Open victory is one of the most iconic moments on Father's Day in golf. The Englishman lost his father to cancer 11 years earlier, but kept him in his thoughts constantly, and more than ever at the major tournament. He was two-strokes back of Phil Mickelson going into the final round, and received a text message from his coach Sean Foley: "Go out there and be the man that your dad taught you to be and that your kids can look up to." Rose did just that, and after draining his winning putt, promptly took his ball, kissed it, and pointed skywards. "What I'm most grateful for about winning the U.S. Open is just how connected I felt to my dad," he said.
Tom Watson asks son Michael to caddie for him at U.S. Open
The U.S. Open overlaps with Father's Day annually, and in 2010 at Pebble Beach, Tom Watson knew he was taking part in his final major. So he did what any dad would do: He asked his son Michael to caddie for him. Sure enough, Watson made the cut, and played well, so he spent Father's Day on the course with his son. Watson finished the tournament tied for 29th, but his memorable final U.S. Open ended up being about far more than golf,
Mark O'Meara partners with his dad at Pebble Beach
At the 1990 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Mark O'Meara - a five-time course winner - paired up with his father Robert for the the event, resulting in a lasting memory for the two. The sunshine over the Monterey Peninsula, with the Pacific Ocean in the background, provided a beautiful visual of the duo walking the final hole together, embracing their time en route to a victory. "We came to the last hole, and (Robert) said, 'You know Mark, I'm just going to walk this hole and enjoy this moment with you,'" Mark said. Robert described the sheer jubilation he felt at the time: "I don't think any father in the United States could feel any happier than I am now."
Bubba wins for his ailing father
Gerry Watson taught his son Bubba how to play golf. "He taught me everything I know," the younger Watson said. Bubba had a goal: To win a tournament as a pro in front of his father. It finally happened at the 2010 Travelers Championship. With his father watching, Bubba won the event. A touching moment occurred afterwards, when Bubba broke down as he told the world his father had cancer. "Dad, I'm praying for you, I love you," Watson said as he teared up.
David and Bob Duval win on same day
It was an incredible happening at the time. In 1999, David Duval was competing in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, while his father Bob was in the mix at the Emerald Coast Classic. Bob won his first Champions Tour event a few hours before David completed his round, and anxiously watched his son. David learned of his father winning while he was on Hole 14, going on to bogey 14 and 15, but not faltering completely. He birdied the famous Island Green 17, and took the event to make history: It was the first time a father and son both won single events in the same day. "If I found out he won and I had a two shot lead with three holes to go I might have choked my brains out," Bob Duval later said, while chuckling.