St Andrews University is to award honorary degrees to three golf legends — Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and and Padraig Harrington — to mark the 150th anniversary Open Championship on the Old Course in July.
The three, who have 18 major championship and nine Open titles between them, will be awarded a degree of doctor of laws honoris causa “in recognition of their achievements and outstanding contributions to the game of golf.”
The ceremony will take place in the Younger Hall on Tuesday, July 13, a day before all three take part in the Champions’ Challenge on the Old Course and two days before Harrington and Watson play in the championship itself.
The degrees will be conferred by university chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell.
University principal Dr Louise Richardson said, “Individually and collectively, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington exemplify excellence, drive and achievement at the highest levels of professional sport.
“This will be an opportunity for St Andrews and Scotland to honour their determination and achievement in the game of golf and the pursuit of excellence.”
She added, “We are absolutely delighted that they have agreed to accept these honorary degrees at the home of golf on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship.”ProudThe three join seven living golf figures awarded honorary degrees by the university — Jack Nicklaus, Severiano Ballesteros, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson and Peter Alliss.
Harrington, Open champion at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008, said, “I am very proud.
“It is fantastic to be recognised for this honour but what makes it even more special is that I will be receiving it alongside golfing legends Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, whose achievements and contributions to the game I have admired and aspired to throughout my career.”
None of the three recipients has yet won the Open on the Old Course, but all three have provided significant moments in golfing history there.
Palmer’s visit to the Open 50 years ago, for the Centenary Open, is credited with returning the championship to its position among the four majors after many years when the top American players did not compete, although his two Open victories came in 1961 at Troon and 1962 at Birkdale.
None of Watson’s five victories has come at St Andrews, but the 60-year-old came close in 1984, finishing second behind Ballesteros, and even before his heroic performance in finishing second at Turnberry last year he was regarded as an honorary Scot.
Harrington was the first Irishman to win the Open in 50 years in 2007 and has won two Alfred Dunhill Links Championship titles on the Old Course.