As he headed for the 17th tee, Tom Watson was tied for the lead in the final round of the 1982 U.S. Open. Moments earlier, Jack Nicklaus had finished uncharacteristically.

He lost his first three US Open finals from 1982 to 1985 then won the next three and then lost the next two. He also finished runner-up twice at the Australian Open, twice at Roland Garros and ...