Denis Watson

Born: Oct. 18, 1955

Birthplace: Salisbury, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Age: 52

Residence: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Turned pro: 1976

Player notes:Endured a string of injuries and surgeries that kept him off the PGA Tour for many years…Injuries and surgeries dated back to 1985, when he blew out his wrist, elbow and neck by hitting the stump of a tree during the Goodyear Classic in South Africa…Was told he would never play again after his first wrist surgery…Also had neck surgery in Los Angeles and woke up in a body brace, complete with a head halo, instead of a back brace because doctors found that the damage was worse than expected…Had surgery on right arm for nerve damage that sidelined him for the 1995 season…In 2006, right shoulder froze up and after three months of rehabilitation, his left shoulder gave out and required additional surgery and another 5½ months of rehab…Prior to ailments was one of the world’s best players…Posted three PGA Tour victories in 1984, including the NEC World Series of Golf…Runner-up to Andy North at the 1985 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills…Also played the Nationwide Tour, with his best finish a T9 at 1998 Greater Austin Open…As an amateur, he played for Rhodesia at the 1974 World Amateur Team Championship in the Dominican Republic…First Champions Tour victory came at 2007 Senior PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and then added the Boeing Classic…Won third Champions Tour title at 2008 FedEx Kinko’s Classic in early May…Tied for fifth in first U.S. Senior Open in 2007…Received the 2007 Ben Hogan Award from the Golf Writers Association of America for his comeback from the injuries…Named 1975 Rhodesian Sportsman of the Year…Prior to joining the Champions Tour did instructional segments on The Golf Channel with good friend David Leadbetter.