THE SHOT: Watson, Nicklaus, Pebble Beach, and the Chip that Changed Everything

by Chris Millard

From any and every angle the 1982 U.S. Open was pure alchemy, a dramatic turning point in the lives and fortunes of everyone involved. Watson underscored his status as the top player in the world. Nicklaus began to age before our eyes. Pebble joined the ranks of the most beloved golf courses on the planet. ABC Sports began its slow descent toward obsolescence, and ESPN took an enormous step toward its new-media manifest destiny. As one ABC Sports producer who worked that storied Open said, "After that week nothing was the same.” New York Times-bestselling author Chris Millard takes you through every storyline, including all of the twists and turns of this seminal moment in golf history.

176 pages, Hardcover

Published December 9, 2024

Reviews

[Brian Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tries as hard as it can to draw one golf swing into 140 pages. It’s a pretty good telling of the history of Pebble Beach, golf broadcasting, and Tom Watson’s career. Realistically a majority of the book is grasping at straws to make it all connect, but still an interesting read nonetheless.

[John Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more than about just The Shot. The author weaves in the history of Pebble Beach, the Monterey Peninsula, the U.S. Open and the players involved. Very good, short read.