Watson ready to make more memories in state
HARTFORD — Connecticut golf fans have literally watched Bubba Watson’s professional golf career grow right before their very eyes at TPC River Highlands
They watched as he cried on wife Angie’s shoulder in 2010, following his sudden death-playoff win over Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank. It was his first PGA Tour win and the only win witnessed by his father Gerry, who died four months later.
Watson triumphed again five years later in a suddendeath playoff against Paul Casey, now with eight PGA Tour victories in hand, including a pair of Masters. He was one of the world’s best players and also a father.
Then after a couple of off years, Watson rebounded with three victories last year, including a third title at the Travelers Championship. He has the most titles under the current title sponsorship.
“The one that really sticks out was last year, the first time winning three times on (the PGA) tour,” Watson said Monday morning at Hartford Marriott as part of Travelers Championship Media Day.
He has shown his incredible gifts as a player, one of the longest drivers on one of the PGA Tour’s shortest courses. He draws some of the largest galleries at River Highlands, where he has played every year since 2008.
Watson, 40, had a goal to win 10 PGA Tour events. He has now won 12, including three titles at the Genesis
Open in addition to the three he owns in Cromwell.
Some more wins and another major or two and the man from Bagdad, Florida would definitely be looking at a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
“You dream about it, you don’t really believe it will happen. A lot of things we dream about that never comes close (to happening),” Watson said. “To get into the Hall of Fame, you need at least three more wins or one more major. So yes, it’s a possibility. Me and Tiger (Woods) chasing the same dream. He needs three more majors (to tie Jack Nicklaus for most all-time) and I need three more wins. It’s hit me now with last year happening, taking me to a level I never thought I would get to.”
Watson hasn’t won on tour since last year’s Travelers. His top finishes are tied for fourth at both the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Valspar Championship, Watson is currently 59th in the FedExCup standings.
But that win last year was
similar to the one in 2010. Back then, Watson rallied from six strokes down. The win was dedicated in part to his father Gerry, who was battling lung cancer
“There was nothing (doctors) could do so we were watching the last parts of his life,” Watson said. “It was one of those things where golf was my safe haven to get away, a safe haven for my family to focus on watching me instead of the terrible stuff happening.”
Last year trailing by six to Casey heading into the final round, Watson fired a 7under-par 63.
Recalling the win on Monday, Watson didn’t remember how many he trailed by, but could recall every putt he made — and its length — from the birdie at 9 to his birdie at 18.
There would be no need for a playoff this time, as Watson won by three. His son Caleb and daughter Dakota, along with Angie, were all there to celebrate.
“You dream about shooting a 10-under or a 9-under to win a golf tournament,” Watson said. “They (the media) always ask you, ‘Do you have a chance?’ Yeah if I shoot 10-under. To actually shoot a low score under
pressure, that just fell into place. That’s how the whole year was last year. To make it my third win a pretty special year.”
Watson readily admits he sometimes makes decisions based on emotion. After last year’s trophy ceremony, hearing Travelers announce it had generated $1.8 million to its various charities, Watson said he would donate $200,000 to the Hole In the Wall Gang Camp, the tournament’s primary beneficiary and a charity Watson has given to before.
“I’m a big an emotional guy. Whatever hits my heart, I don’t think twice, I don’t ask permission from my wife,” Watson said. “I walked over to Andy (Bessette, the executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Travelers) and Alan (Schnitzer, the CEO) quietly, no microphone and said ‘I want to give you $200,000. This isn’t for publicity, I just want to do it.’ They were like ‘We want to tell people.’ I was like, ‘If you have to, you can’
“I told them, ‘Kids are big on my heart. I’m doing this because of what you do for them and what you mean to the community, how you help around the world. I
want to be a part of this.’ It sounds better at $2 million than $1.8.”
Watson will take part in the 101st PGA Championship this week at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. The last time Bethpage held a major, the 2009 U.S. Open, Watson finished tied for 18th behind winner Lucas Glover.
When he returns to Connecticut in five weeks, a replica of his Bubba’s Sweet Spot in Pensacola, Florida, will be there for him to see in the Fan Zone at TPC.
“They are making it for the kids and to honor me for the wins,” Watson said. “It will be cool. They are not asking me to hammer nails and put a building together. I don’t know what their dream is going to be or how they are going to set it up, but they know what mine looks like and they know what kids like, so it will be interesting to see it all done up.”
Watson will then be looking to tie Billy Casper for most victories in Travelers Championship tournament history at four.