Watson envisions the magical shots without hankering about trophies

Win at WGC Match Play is his second triumph in his last four starts

Bubba Watson sees golf differently from anyone else. His most famous shot is still that gap wedge he hit from a forest of pine trees to the right of the 10th fairway at Augusta National in a play-off, the one he hooked some 40 yards to an elevated green. “If I have a swing, I have shot,” is the credo he shares with long-time caddie Ted Scott.

It’s what he often refers to as “Bubba golf.”

What he still has trouble seeing is the amount of trophies that are starting to pile up.

He won the WGC Match Play for his second victory in his last four starts, the first time he has ever won twice in a season before the Masters. It was his second World Golf Championship and his 11th victory on the PGA Tour.

“All I had is dreams and creativity. I enjoy playing golf because that’s what I’m doing as a kid. I’m a kid who happens to be 30 now, and somehow I keep getting trophies.”

His victory at Austin Country Club was remarkable for a number of reasons.

He doesn’t like this format. Watson reached the semi-finals in his first year of the Match Play, but he never got beyond the fourth round in his next six appearances.

Even when he reached the final round, he never imagined he would be playing for the title. His semi-final match was against Justin Thomas, who could have reached No. 1 in the world with a win. Watson saw that match going differently.

“Justin Thomas making every putt and me losing, him looking at me and going, ‘I’m No. 1.’ Truly, he’s playing so good,” he said.

The championship match that wasn’t much of a contest. He faced Kevin Kisner, who survived a 19-hole semi-final victory over Alex Noren. An hour later, Kisner couldn’t hit a shot where he was aiming and lost six of the first seven holes. The only reason he didn’t lose all seven was because Watson missed a 4-foot birdie putt.

“I want to be creative,” Watson said. “I want to let my mind run wild on the golf course. That was my passion.”

AP ■ Bubba Watson waves to the gallery after winning the final round at the Dell Technologies Match Play tournament in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Watson defeated Kevin Kisner.