Tom Watson Praises Two Masters Champions as ‘Great Players’
Tom Watson praised Scottie Scheffler and Dustin Johnson for their exceptional feel around the greens at Augusta National.
He highlighted their ability to judge carry distances by feel alone. Watson made his remarks to Filmogaz.com.
Watson’s on-course observations
Watson described watching Dustin Johnson repeatedly nail short pitches. Johnson would call out estimated carries and then match them precisely.
He also recalled Scottie Scheffler going through every club. Scheffler named carry distances from driver down and was almost always within two yards.
Why distance control matters at Augusta
Augusta National demands precise approach shots. Sloping greens and tight margins punish small errors.
Watson argued that top players can routinely hit aerial distances within a couple of yards. That skill separates contenders at the Masters.
Scottie Scheffler: form and family
Scheffler is the world No. 1 and a two-time Masters winner, taking the title in 2022 and 2024.
He won The American Express in January. He has not made a top-10 in his last three starts since that victory.
Scheffler, 29, has spent three weeks away from competition. During that break he and his wife, Meredith, welcomed their second child, a son named Remy.
He says the break provided rest. Scheffler feels the game is in a good place heading into the tournament.
Dustin Johnson: recent record and outlook
Johnson, the 2020 Masters champion, is 41 years old. He joined LIV Golf in 2022.
Since that move, he has recorded just two top-10 finishes across 16 majors. He missed the cut in his last two starts at Augusta.
Johnson said he feels refreshed and ready to compete. He hopes to reverse recent results this week.
What Watson praised
- Watson praised both champions as great players because of their distance control.
- He emphasized their rare ability to estimate carry distances by feel.
- That trait could prove decisive when the tournament starts on Thursday.
