Watson’s birdies winners

Tom Watson made a chip-shot birdie on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links on this date in 1982 that snatched a victory from Jack Nicklaus and gave him the U.S. Open championship.

With Nicklaus sitting on the sideline believing he had won his fifth Open and could do no worse than tie after 72 holes, Watson made an unlikely shot, a cut wedge out of deep grass that rolled 16 feet down a slope to the pin and into the cup.

The dramatic shot followed by another birdie on No. 18 gave Watson a four-under-par total of 282 to Nicklaus’ two-under 284.

Watson told his caddie that “I wasn’t going to try to come close, that I was going to make it.” He called it “the best shot, the most important shot I ever made in my life.”

This week, the Dodgers were set to host the second of three interleague games Saturday against the Detroit Tigers. The Angels were scheduled to play the second of three games against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium.

Here is a look at memorable games and outstanding sports performances on this date

1960 — Floyd Patterson knocks out Ingemar Johansson of Sweden in the fifth round at the Polo Grounds in New York to become the first fighter to regain the undisputed world heavyweight title.

1980 — Roberto Duran wins a hard-fought 15-round decision over Sugar Ray Leonard at Olympic Stadium in Montreal to take the World Boxing Council welterweight crown.

1984 — Jockey Pat Day equals a thoroughbred record for an eight-race card when he rides seven horses to victory at Churchill Downs at Louisville, Ky.

2006 — Dwyane Wade caps his strong playoff performance with 36 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Miami Heat past the Dallas Mavericks 95-92 as the Heat roar back from a two-game deficit to take the NBA Finals in six games.