Watson’s Problem Is Elementary

Tom Watson, one of golf’s true superstars, has won five British Open championships, but in the past 4 years he has won only one tournament. Watson, 39, knows just what his problem is.

“Putting,” he said.

He had a chance to win the NEC World Series of Golf, but blew a 2-foot putt for par and lost to Mike Reid on the first playoff hole. Watson remains upbeat.

“I can be a good putter again--a great putter,” he said.

Last year, Watson earned $360,000 by winning the Nabisco Championships, but unless he does something in a hurry--like make some money--he won’t even be back to defend his title. Only the top 30 money-winners are in the field, and Watson is 35th with $269,484.

Watson didn’t play the Southern Open last week and isn’t playing this week, either. His next appearance is Oct. 13 in the Texas Open at the Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio.

Maybe that will turn things around for him. It’s the same course where he won the Nabisco last year.

What does Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green dream about? Simple, really.

“I take Jerry Rice, Roy Green, Mike Quick, doo-da, doo-da, shut them all out, we win the games, I’m a superstar, I go to the Hall of Fame, goodby,” Green said.

Anything else?

“And then all you guys in the press say I was the greatest of all time.”

Sorry, Darrell, you’re still dreaming.

Can there be a more torturous name to an event than this one being held at Pomona-Pitzer College in Claremont this weekend?

It’s the 1988 Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Assn. Rolex Southern California Small College Regional Singles Championship.

Or the ITCARSCSCRSC for short.

Now It Can Be Told: Earlier this year, soon-to-resign San Diego General Manager Chub Feeney put his arm around Padre first baseman John Kruk and told him this: “Way to go, Lance.”

Feeney thought he was talking to pitcher Lance McCullers. He later apologized to both Kruk and McCullers. What a nice gesture that was.

Now It Can Be Told II, III and IV: Announcer Duane Kuiper of the Giants said this, after Giant pitcher Dave Dravecky had thrown 66 pitches in 6 innings: “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that’s 12 per inning.”

Giant announcer Ron Fairly said this of the Atlanta Braves’ Bruce Sutter: “He’s getting up there in age. He’s 35. That should give you a pretty good idea of how old he is.”

Met announcer Ralph Kiner called Mitch Webster “Mitch Miller,” then said of the Mets’ Kevin McReynolds: “He doesn’t have an attitude problem. He doesn’t have any.”

Quotebook

From Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Don Carman, reacting to being called a “usually pedestrian left-hander” in a newspaper article: “He must have seen me crossing the street.”