Bubba Watson continues to confound. BubbaGolf becomes a trending hashtag every time the American star uploads a video of one of his magical golf shots, and is a source of awe to his fans and critics.
BubbaSpeak, on the other hand, makes you shake your head in complete disbelief. Just two weeks ago, the two-time Masters champion was being booed all the way around the TPC Scottsdale course during the Phoenix Open.
That must have been some boo, because the tournament averaged 155,000 fans every round. Watson’s crime? He said he hated the refurbished golf course and was playing the tournament only because of his sponsors.
And two weeks later, he wins the Northern Trust Open at Riviera, a golf course that is held in as much esteem for the challenge it poses to players as Augusta National.
Only supreme shot-makers have been able to tame courses like Augusta and Riviera, and Watson has done it twice already in his career.
Watson is all natural ability – he has never had a coach in his life. He is not the one to spend hours at the driving range, getting bored easily. But give him a golfing challenge, and he will be up to it. Adam Scott admitted watching him spellbound during a practice session last year.
“Some of the shots he hits are so creative. He really has his style of golf under control. I don’t think you can teach it. Watching a guy hit a 5-iron to four different greens on the range about 85 yards, 120, 170 and 240 is pretty fun to watch,” said the Aussie who possesses one of the most copybook swings in the game.
But Watson remains an enigma. There’s one part of him that actually urges the fans to clap while he is hitting his tee shots, and another that admits he is extremely uncomfortable in crowd situations.
One day he is so obnoxious to his caddy Ted Scott on the course that it creates worldwide debate, but is so magnanimous and friendly to him otherwise that Ted cannot even imagine working for someone else.
After his win at Riviera, Watson said: “I have a lot of fears in my life. I’m human. And a lot of those fears come out on the golf course: big crowds, just people, people touching me, people yelling at me. Just, I want to go and hide. So I’m getting better at that…I’m trying to.
“Me and Teddy, the reason why I hired Teddy is because he’s a great man and we’ve got the same battles in life. And so we’ve worked hard.”
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Of course, there is the Watson who maintains he is going to quit golf when he reaches the world No1, or captures 10 titles on the PGA Tour. He has already won nine.
I am sure he just said it as a casual comment. Watson will surely reset his goals once he gets his next win. Before I move on to the next topic, let me leave you with a few classic Bubba lines from his press conference on Sunday…
“At the end of the day, hopefully my wife or my friends don’t put on my tombstone my record at golf, because it’s going to be pretty sad”.
“I don’t work on anything. I just play golf. I see a shot and try to hit it. I’m scared to death on most of them but I try to hit it anyway”.
“PING”, when asked which club he hit for his second shot on the 17th. When quizzed further, he added: “Ted’s not here, so I am not sure. It could be a 2-iron”.
Brandel Chamblee knows how to rub up some of the biggest stars the wrong way.
He did it to Tiger Woods with criticism of the former world No. 1’s swing, and seemed to irk Rory McIlroy last week by questioning his gym workouts.
Speaking on Golf Channel, the commentator said: “What Tiger Woods did towards the middle and end of his career is an example to be wary of. That’s just my opinion. And it does give me a little concern when I see the extensive weightlifting that Rory is doing in the gym.”
Not one to take things lying down, McIlroy has posted at least a couple of videos of himself – one working out in the hotel room and one doing squats with 265lbs.
@McIlroyRory @GolfChannel Keep squatting. Keep lifting. Keep working out...my best. GP pic.twitter.com/D8c4JK0yyE
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) February 17, 2016
Just a few days ago, during the Desert Classic, I spoke to McIlroy about his workout and the world No. 3 was under no illusion about how important it was for his career.
Towards the end of 2010, the Northern Irishman was bothered by a bit of pain in his back. It was during the end of the year that he decided to put on more muscles and make his back stronger.
The results were so good, he is convinced that physical workout has played a huge role in his success.
“Within six months I could feel the difference. More importantly, it started showing in my game. I nearly won the Masters that year, and then won my first major at the US Open and I haven’t looked back since then. I can see that there is a direct correlation between my performance and me getting stronger.”
There was this look on his face as he spoke, that of absolute conviction in what he was saying. I don’t think anyone can change that, certainly not Chamblee.
“Federer just handles himself with complete class. He always has. Everyone I’ve come in contact with is a fan of him. Djokovic with his fire and just absolute crazy athletic display he’s been showing over the last decade, really.” – Jordan Spieth on his favourite tennis players
