Bubba’s Beautiful Breakthrough At Augusta

Less than a month ago, we were interviewing Bubba Watson at The Zurich Classic Media Day at TPC Louisiana. Bubba was his relaxed self, wearing shorts, t-shirt and his alma mater University of Georgia cap on backwards. Three weeks later, Gerry “Bubba” Watson is wearing golf’s greatest prize, the coveted Masters Green Jacket.

Bubba won in a way we have all grown to admire with long drives, recovery shots, bending shots and a never-quit attitude. We witnessed a swashbuckling style of play reminiscent of Seve Ballesteros.

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Watson finished regulation play at 10-under par. After Oosthuizen’s double eagle on No. 2, Watson was four strokes down. His rally began on No. 13 after a three-putt bogey on No. 12. He birdied four holes in a row and tied Oosthuizen with two holes to go. They both parred the last two holes in regulation play and tied No. 18, the first playoff hole.

The next playoff hole No. 10, Watson’s tee shot went deep into the woods. He had one shot, to hit a wedge and hook it 40 yards off of pinestraw. The commentator, Sir Nick Faldo, basically said he had no shot. The miraculous recovery swing by Watson landed 10 feet from the hole, Oosthuizen could not get up and down from his location in front of the green.

Bubba’s two putts for par found him greeted by fellow pros and friends Ricky Fowler and Hunter Mahan along with his mom and others. His wife Angie was at home with their newly-adopted baby Caleb. It was there he acknowledged the crowd, wiping away tears and realizing his life has been forever changed.

The pre-tournament drama of a Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy shootout never materialized. They both finished at five-over par. Tiger endured his worst four round total as a professional.

The sentimental favorite going into Sunday was Phil Mickelson, one shot off the lead and seeking his fourth green jacket. Phil made a triple-bogey on the par 3 No. 4 and fought hard to get back to the top of the board but finished two shots back with Lee Westwood, Matt Kuchar and Peter Hanson.

This year’s Zurich Classic will be special if the new Masters Champion is here defending his title. This combo with Watson could be a big boost for golf in New Orleans. Congratulations Bubba!