An emotional Tom Watson shed a tear strolling up the 18th at Augusta National on Friday disappointed he missed the cut in his final Masters but happy he doesn't have to play the uphill par-four hole anymore.
66-year-old Watson posted a six-over-par 78 in his Augusta goodbye for an eight-over 152 total to miss the cut by two shots.
"It's a little bit out of my league now, the golf course, certain holes in particular," smiled the eight time major winner.
"I'm glad I don't have to hit the five-woods and three-woods at 18 anymore. That's the reason I'm not playing here anymore.
"These kids are hitting it up there and they are hitting seven and eight irons on 18, and I'm back there trying to hit a three-wood on that green."
When he finished his round, an adoring gallery stood and applauded while Watson hugged his caddie Neil Oxman, his wife, his children and friends.
"I know I'm going to continue to play against the old guys (on the Champions Tour)," Watson said. "I doubt if I will play against the kids anymore."
This was Watson's 43rd Masters. His first was in 1970 as an amateur and he won in 1977 and 1981.
Watson started his final round believing he had a chance to make the weekend one last time, especially after the way he putted on Thursday.
"I'm just a golfer," said Watson. "I just go out and I try my damnedest to play the best golf I possibly can every time I'm on the golf course when I'm in competition.
"I didn't feel like it was a final walk until basically the last couple holes because I still had a shot at it.
"That's just me."
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