Watson says no to US PGA

OPEN Championship runner-up Tom Watson has turned down the chance to play in next week’s USPGA Championship in Minnesota.

The 59-year-old, whose performance at Turnberry gripped the sporting world, told officials he “greatly appreciated” their invitation to play at Hazeltine, but unfortunately he had long-standing plans with his family.

Watson needed to par the final hole to become the oldest major champion in history by 11 years, but bogeyed and lost the four-hole play-off to fellow American Stewart Cink.