Watson has found his way

Los Angeles – The stinging disappointment of missing out on the 2016 United States Ryder Cup team was one of the factors why Bubba Watson (above) contemplated retirement last year.

Watson was ranked seventh in the world at the time but suffering from uneven form and not even considered by captain Davis Love as one of his four wildcard picks for the team that went on to beat Europe at Hazeltine in Minnesota.

He then lost his way last year, as a cascading series of issues prompted him to consider giving the game away.

“I was seventh in the world, didn’t get picked for the Ryder Cup, which I shouldn’t have,” he said at a press conference after finishing at 12-under-par 272 to clinch the Genesis Open by two strokes on Sunday.

Watson added that apart from the downward spiral in results he had been ill in 2017, but did not disclose what had affected him, while his wife needed surgery.

Watson added he had seriously considered retiring last year.

“I was close (to retiring). My wife was not close,” he said.

“My wife basically told me to quit whining and play golf. She’s much tougher than I am.”

The victory on Sunday was Watson’s third in the event, and 10th on the PGA Tour.

“Nobody thought Bubba Watson from Bagdad, Florida would ever get to 10 wins – without lessons, hooking the ball, slicing the ball, can’t putt,” he said.

“This day and age, to get 10 wins on the PGA Tour, the greatest tour in the world, double digit wins, I am thrilled.” – Reuters