Denis Watson

Started playing golf at age 14 when his dad took him to play. Served two years in the Rhodesian Army. Has also worked as an insurance relief officer and as an assistant professional/instructor.
Played the PGA Tour on a regular basis from 1981-96 and made a total of 302 starts, winning three times, was runner-up seven times and third once. He finished in the top-10, 22 times making 139 cuts and earning $1.3 million. Best season came in 1984 when he won all three of his titles and finished fourth on the final money list, with $408,562... came close to winning PGA Player of the Year honors by joining Tom Watson as the only three-time winner that year...Had a great seven-week spurt late in the summer of 1984. Won his first tour title at the Buick Open, thanks to a 63-68 finish at Warwick Hills. Then placed 33rd at the PGA Championship. Shot course-record 8-under-par 62 in the second round of the NEC World Series of Golf at Firestone, then stayed in front the rest of the way to collect $126,000 and 10-year exemption. Three events later, earned tour's richest payday ($162,000) when he won the Las Vegas Invitational, edging Andy Bean by one stroke...Followed the good year with a solid 1985 campaign that included a pair of runner-up finishes. T2nd in the U.S. Open, one shot behind Andy North. Also finished second to Roger Maltbie in defense of World Series title... After that his numbers started dropping due to injury. Underwent wrist and elbow surgery in 1989, followed by cervical fusion in 1991. Later procedure corrected neck problem that had existed since 1985 and between 1986 and 1996 only finished once in the top-125. Didn't play in 1995 due to surgery on right arm to repair ulnar nerve damage. After surgery tried to come back playing on the PGA and Nationwide Tour; best year came in 1993 when in 24 starts only made nine cuts but a 2nd at the BC Open helped him place 132nd on the money list.
On turning 50 in October of 2005 played in one event, but then at the start of 2006 had right-shoulder surgery and only played in three events.
Was healthy in 2007 and had his best season ever, winning twice including the Senior PGA Championship, and finished fourth on the money list with $1.6 million in earnings. Had another good start to his 2008 season with two wins, but the later part of the year was bothered by a hyperextended knee which has been a problem ever since for him.
Injuries have hampered Watson on the Champions Tour, between that and limited exempt status left him to play in only three official events in 2011, best finish 41st in Mitsubishi Electric Championship and only three events in 2012, best finish T34th Mitsubishi Electric.