Organisers announced this week that Tom Watson has agreed to play at next month's Australian Mastercard Masters tournament in Melbourne, Victoria. Watson, an eight-time major winner, will tee up alongside young American Ty Tryon and the ever-present Nick Faldo at the Huntingdale Golf Club.

The five-time British Open winner says he is looking forward to playing at the Huntingdale course as he particularly enjoys the sandbelt courses in the Melbourne region. Watson won the 1984 Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, but has not played in Australia for several years.

Watson dominated the golfing arena in the late 1970's and early 1980's, with five British Open wins in a nine year period plus three or more US Tour victories every year from 1977-82.

A summary of Watson's career accomplishments includes:
- 34 PGA TOUR victories
- Nine world wide victories including five British Opens
- 1998 MasterCard Colonial at Fort Worth
- 1977-84 period he dominated the Tour as "Player of the Year" six times
- 1977-84 he had three or more victories topped by five in 1979
- Winner of the Vardon Trophy three times

Watson will join a host of local talent at the MasterCard Masters including Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Peter Lonard and Craig Parry for the tournament. This year the MasterCard Masters, one of the highlights of the Australasian Tour since it began in 1979, will carry a record purse of AUD$1.25 million.

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