'Room grew quiet' after what Masters legend said

Tom Watson only saw unity, conversation and easy laughter among 33 champions at the Masters Club dinner, seven of them now with Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Watson longs for the day golf can feel that way all year long.

Unity is a popular topic at the first major of the year because the PGA Tour has suspended LIV players for defecting to the rival circuit. The only time all the world’s best get together are at the majors, and the Masters is the first chance for that since July.

Watson said he asked Masters chairman Fred Ridley if he could speak toward the end of the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night (US time).

“And in a sense, I hope that the players themselves took that to say, ‘You know, we have to do something’,” Watson said. He paused before repeating, “We have to do something.”

Watson, three-time champion Gary Player and six-time champion Jack Nicklaus were together again on the first tee Thursday night to hit the honourary tee shot, which was delayed by overnight rain.

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