Bubba Watson
Encyclopedia
Gerry "Bubba" Watson is an American
professional golfer
. Watson is one of the few left-handed
golfers on tour and is known for his tremendous length. The longest driver on the PGA Tour, in 2007 he had an average drive of 315.2 yards and is capable of generating a ball speed of 194 mph, being one of the few players who can hit a ball over 350 yards. He has been featured in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings
.
. At Milton High School in Florida, he played on the same high school golf team as fellow PGA Tour members Heath Slocum
and Boo Weekley
. He played golf for Faulkner State Community College
in Alabama
, where he was a junior college All-America
n. After that he played golf at the University of Georgia
in 2000 and 2001. While at Georgia, he helped lead the Bulldogs to a Southeastern Conference
Championship in 2000.
where he would play until 2005. He finished 21st on the Nationwide Tour's money list in 2005, making him the last player to qualify for the 2006 PGA Tour
. As a rookie on the PGA Tour
, he earned $1,019,264 (90th overall) and led the PGA Tour in driving distance (319.6 yards). His longest ever drive on the PGA Tour was a 416 yard drive at the 2010 Sony Open. His longest drive in professional competition was a 422 yard drive on the Nationwide Tour.
Watson played well at the 2007 U.S. Open. He was in the final group on the Saturday after shooting rounds of 70-71 (+1) at Oakmont Country Club
. He was one stroke off the lead at the start of the third round but then slipped, shooting 74 (+4) in the third and fourth rounds. He finished in a tie for fifth.
Watson claimed his first PGA Tour
win on June 27, 2010 in Cromwell, Connecticut
at the Travelers Championship in a two-hole sudden death playoff, beating Corey Pavin
and Scott Verplank
. Watson tearfully dedicated the win to his parents, specifically his father who was battling cancer.
Watson was runner-up to Martin Kaymer
at the PGA Championship
at Whistling Straits
, after losing a playoff that was initially also going to include Dustin Johnson
before he was given a two stroke penalty. Watson led the playoff after the first hole but, Watson hit his 2nd shot in the water hazard at the last hole. Kaymer eventually defeated him by one stroke on the third and final hole.
Watson had his own clothing line called Bubba Golf at the former Steve & Barry's
. He was invited on the Ellen Degeneres show after he sent her a video of a golf trick shot he completed for her birthday.
On January 30, 2011, Watson won his second PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open, beating Phil Mickelson
by one stroke. Watson picked up his second win of the 2011 season and third career PGA Tour title on May 1 when he defeated Webb Simpson
at the second playoff hole at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
. On the first playoff hole, both players made birdies with Watson holing a 12 footer to take them into a second playoff hole. At the second playoff hole Watson made a birdie again to win the tournament, whereas the best Simpson could manage was a par.
In July 2011, Watson provoked controversy by criticizing the Alstom Open de France, in which he was playing under a sponsor's exemption; he indicated after his first round that he would not be playing any further events on the European Tour, and complained after his second round about security and organization at the tournament.
Watson took part in the Long Drive Contest for charity at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions alongside Dustin Johnson
and Robert Garrigus
. He finished in second place, with a longest drive of 370 yards behind a drive of over 400 yards by Jamie Sadlowski
.
which accounts for her unusual stature.
Watson's father, Gerry, died on October 15, 2010 of throat cancer.
Watson is currently one of four golfers in the PGA Tour exclusive boy band "Golf Boys". (The other three golfers are Rickie Fowler
, Ben Crane
and Hunter Mahan
.) The Golf Boys currently have a popular YouTube video for the song "Oh Oh Oh". Farmers Insurance will donate $1,000 for every 100,000 views of the video. The charitable proceeds will support both Farmers and Ben Crane charitable initiatives.
PGA Tour playoff record (2-1)
DNP = did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Yellow background for top-10.
DNP = Did not play
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
. Watson is one of the few left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
golfers on tour and is known for his tremendous length. The longest driver on the PGA Tour, in 2007 he had an average drive of 315.2 yards and is capable of generating a ball speed of 194 mph, being one of the few players who can hit a ball over 350 yards. He has been featured in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings
Official World Golf Rankings
The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers...
.
Amateur career
Watson was born in Bagdad, FloridaBagdad, Florida
Bagdad is a census-designated place in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,490 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. At Milton High School in Florida, he played on the same high school golf team as fellow PGA Tour members Heath Slocum
Heath Slocum
Tyler Heath Slocum is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.-Early years:Slocum was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Bunkie, Louisiana from 1986 until 1987 . Slocum learned the game of golf from his father, Jack...
and Boo Weekley
Boo Weekley
Thomas Brent "Boo" Weekley is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.Weekley was born in Milton, Florida. He turned professional in 1997 and played on mini-tours until 2002, when he qualified for the PGA Tour. He made the cut in only five of 24 events that year, and lost his...
. He played golf for Faulkner State Community College
Faulkner State Community College
Faulkner State Community College is a two-year public college located in Baldwin County, Alabama established in 1965. Faulkner State has three locations. The administrative campus is located in Bay Minette, Alabama...
in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, where he was a junior college All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n. After that he played golf at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in 2000 and 2001. While at Georgia, he helped lead the Bulldogs to a Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
Championship in 2000.
Professional career
Watson turned professional in 2003 and joined the Nationwide TourNationwide Tour
The Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level...
where he would play until 2005. He finished 21st on the Nationwide Tour's money list in 2005, making him the last player to qualify for the 2006 PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. As a rookie on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
, he earned $1,019,264 (90th overall) and led the PGA Tour in driving distance (319.6 yards). His longest ever drive on the PGA Tour was a 416 yard drive at the 2010 Sony Open. His longest drive in professional competition was a 422 yard drive on the Nationwide Tour.
Watson played well at the 2007 U.S. Open. He was in the final group on the Saturday after shooting rounds of 70-71 (+1) at Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont Country Club is a country club and the "oldest top-ranked golf course in the U. S.", in the Pittsburgh suburbs of Plum and Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA. The Pennsylvania Turnpike separates the eastern seven holes from the rest of the course....
. He was one stroke off the lead at the start of the third round but then slipped, shooting 74 (+4) in the third and fourth rounds. He finished in a tie for fifth.
Watson claimed his first PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
win on June 27, 2010 in Cromwell, Connecticut
Cromwell, Connecticut
Cromwell is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States located in the middle of the state. The population was 12,871 at the 2000 census.The town was named after Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England.-Points of interest:...
at the Travelers Championship in a two-hole sudden death playoff, beating Corey Pavin
Corey Pavin
Corey Allen Pavin is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. He spent over 150 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1986 and 1997.-Biography:...
and Scott Verplank
Scott Verplank
Scott Rachal Verplank is an American professional golfer.Verplank was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He was a leading member of the W.T. White High School Golf Team and a regular at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas...
. Watson tearfully dedicated the win to his parents, specifically his father who was battling cancer.
Watson was runner-up to Martin Kaymer
Martin Kaymer
Martin Kaymer is a German professional golfer. He became the No. 1 ranked golfer in the Official World Golf Rankings on 27 February 2011 after his runner-up finish in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship....
at the PGA Championship
2010 PGA Championship
The 2010 PGA Championship was the 92nd PGA Championship. Martin Kaymer from Germany won for his first major championship, in a three-hole playoff over Bubba Watson. The tournament began on Thursday, August 12, 2010, and concluded on Sunday, August 15. It was played at the Straits Course of the...
at Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits
Whistling Straits is one of two golfing destinations associated with The American Club, a luxury resort located in nearby Kohler, Wisconsin, and owned by a subsidiary of the Kohler Company. The other course is Blackwolf Run. The Whistling Straits complex is located in the unincorporated Sheboygan...
, after losing a playoff that was initially also going to include Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Hunter Johnson is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He is one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour having been third in the driving distance stats for three consecutive years between 2009-2011....
before he was given a two stroke penalty. Watson led the playoff after the first hole but, Watson hit his 2nd shot in the water hazard at the last hole. Kaymer eventually defeated him by one stroke on the third and final hole.
Watson had his own clothing line called Bubba Golf at the former Steve & Barry's
Steve & Barry's
Steve & Barry's was an American retail clothing chain, featuring casual apparel. By mid-2008, the chain operated 276 stores in 39 states. The company was headquartered in Port Washington, New York. The company liquidated all of its stores throughout 2008....
. He was invited on the Ellen Degeneres show after he sent her a video of a golf trick shot he completed for her birthday.
On January 30, 2011, Watson won his second PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open, beating Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson
Philip Alfred Mickelson is an American professional golfer. He has won four major championships and a total of 39 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed "Lefty" for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed...
by one stroke. Watson picked up his second win of the 2011 season and third career PGA Tour title on May 1 when he defeated Webb Simpson
Webb Simpson
James Frederick "Webb" Simpson is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Simpson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He played high school golf at Broughton High before his collegiate golf career at Wake Forest University. He was a three-time All-American and...
at the second playoff hole at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a regular golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is played annually in New Orleans, Louisiana; its historic date has been in April, but was moved to March in 2008. Zurich Financial Services is the main sponsor of the tournament.From the event's inception through...
. On the first playoff hole, both players made birdies with Watson holing a 12 footer to take them into a second playoff hole. At the second playoff hole Watson made a birdie again to win the tournament, whereas the best Simpson could manage was a par.
In July 2011, Watson provoked controversy by criticizing the Alstom Open de France, in which he was playing under a sponsor's exemption; he indicated after his first round that he would not be playing any further events on the European Tour, and complained after his second round about security and organization at the tournament.
Watson took part in the Long Drive Contest for charity at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions alongside Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Hunter Johnson is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He is one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour having been third in the driving distance stats for three consecutive years between 2009-2011....
and Robert Garrigus
Robert Garrigus
Robert Garrigus is an American professional golfer who is currently a member of the PGA Tour. He won the 2010 Children's Miracle Network Classic, to guarantee exempt status on the PGA Tour through the end of the 2012 season....
. He finished in second place, with a longest drive of 370 yards behind a drive of over 400 yards by Jamie Sadlowski
Jamie Sadlowski
Jamie Sadlowski is a Canadian professional long driver, golfer and ice hockey player from St. Paul, Alberta. One of the longest drivers in the world with a personal best of 445 yards, he won the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship successively in 2008 and 2009 and has competed in over hundred...
.
Personal life
Watson is married to Angie, a 6'4" (1.93m) former basketball player. She was diagnosed with having an abnormally sized pituitary glandPituitary gland
In vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
which accounts for her unusual stature.
Watson's father, Gerry, died on October 15, 2010 of throat cancer.
Watson is currently one of four golfers in the PGA Tour exclusive boy band "Golf Boys". (The other three golfers are Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler
Rick Yutaka Fowler is an American professional golfer. He was the number one ranked amateur golfer in the world for 36 weeks in 2007 and 2008.-Amateur career:...
, Ben Crane
Ben Crane
Benjamin McCully Crane is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Crane was born in Portland, Oregon. He was age 5 when his grandfather taught him how to play golf, and he grew up playing at the nearby Portland Golf Club where Ben Hogan won the 1945 Portland Open...
and Hunter Mahan
Hunter Mahan
Hunter Myles Mahan is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Mahan was born in Orange, California. He had a successful amateur career, winning the 1999 5A Texas State High School Golf Championship while attending McKinney High School and the 1999 U.S. Junior...
.) The Golf Boys currently have a popular YouTube video for the song "Oh Oh Oh". Farmers Insurance will donate $1,000 for every 100,000 views of the video. The charitable proceeds will support both Farmers and Ben Crane charitable initiatives.
PGA Tour wins (3)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 27, 2010 2010 PGA Tour The 2010 PGA Tour season ran from January 7 to November 14. The season consisted of 46 official money events. This included four major championships and three World Golf Championships, which are also sanctioned by the European Tour.-Schedule:... |
Travelers Championship | Playoff |  Corey PavinCorey Pavin Corey Allen Pavin is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. He spent over 150 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1986 and 1997.-Biography:... , Scott VerplankScott Verplank Scott Rachal Verplank is an American professional golfer.Verplank was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He was a leading member of the W.T. White High School Golf Team and a regular at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas... |
|
| 2 | Jan 30, 2011 2011 PGA Tour The 2011 PGA Tour, the 44th season since the Tour became independent from the PGA of America, will consist of a total of 49 sanctioned events running from early January to late November... |
Farmers Insurance Open | 1 stroke | Phil Mickelson Phil Mickelson Philip Alfred Mickelson is an American professional golfer. He has won four major championships and a total of 39 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed "Lefty" for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed... |
|
| 3 | May 1, 2011 2011 PGA Tour The 2011 PGA Tour, the 44th season since the Tour became independent from the PGA of America, will consist of a total of 49 sanctioned events running from early January to late November... |
Zurich Classic of New Orleans Zurich Classic of New Orleans The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a regular golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is played annually in New Orleans, Louisiana; its historic date has been in April, but was moved to March in 2008. Zurich Financial Services is the main sponsor of the tournament.From the event's inception through... |
Playoff | Webb Simpson Webb Simpson James Frederick "Webb" Simpson is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Simpson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He played high school golf at Broughton High before his collegiate golf career at Wake Forest University. He was a three-time All-American and... |
PGA Tour playoff record (2-1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010 | Travelers Championship | Corey Pavin Corey Pavin Corey Allen Pavin is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. He spent over 150 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1986 and 1997.-Biography:... , Scott VerplankScott Verplank Scott Rachal Verplank is an American professional golfer.Verplank was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He was a leading member of the W.T. White High School Golf Team and a regular at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas... |
Won with par on second extra hole Pavin eliminated with par on first hole |
| 2 | 2010 | PGA Championship 2010 PGA Championship The 2010 PGA Championship was the 92nd PGA Championship. Martin Kaymer from Germany won for his first major championship, in a three-hole playoff over Bubba Watson. The tournament began on Thursday, August 12, 2010, and concluded on Sunday, August 15. It was played at the Straits Course of the... |
 Martin KaymerMartin Kaymer Martin Kaymer is a German professional golfer. He became the No. 1 ranked golfer in the Official World Golf Rankings on 27 February 2011 after his runner-up finish in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.... |
Lost three-hole aggregate playoff: (Kaymer:11, Watson:12) |
| 3 | 2011 | Zurich Classic of New Orleans Zurich Classic of New Orleans The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is a regular golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is played annually in New Orleans, Louisiana; its historic date has been in April, but was moved to March in 2008. Zurich Financial Services is the main sponsor of the tournament.From the event's inception through... |
Webb Simpson Webb Simpson James Frederick "Webb" Simpson is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Simpson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He played high school golf at Broughton High before his collegiate golf career at Wake Forest University. He was a three-time All-American and... |
Won with birdie on second extra hole |
Other wins (2)
- 2008 CVS Caremark Charity Classic (with Camilo VillegasCamilo VillegasCamilo Villegas is a Colombian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and the European Tour.-Early years:Villegas was born in Medellín, Colombia, and took up golf as a child...
) - 2010 Wendy's 3-Tour ChallengeWendy's 3-Tour ChallengeThe Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge is an unofficial golf event held every November at the Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, Nevada. The tournament is a unique stroke play event, and, as the name suggests, pits three-member teams from the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and Champions Tour against each other...
(with Dustin JohnsonDustin JohnsonDustin Hunter Johnson is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He is one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour having been third in the driving distance stats for three consecutive years between 2009-2011....
and Boo WeekleyBoo WeekleyThomas Brent "Boo" Weekley is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.Weekley was born in Milton, Florida. He turned professional in 1997 and played on mini-tours until 2002, when he qualified for the PGA Tour. He made the cut in only five of 24 events that year, and lost his...
)
Results in major championships
| Tournament | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T20 | 42 | DNP | T38 |
| U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
CUT | DNP | DNP | T5 | CUT | T18 | DNP | T63 |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT | CUT | T30 |
| PGA Championship PGA Championship The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT | 70 | CUT | 2 | T26 |
DNP = did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Yellow background for top-10.
Summary
- Tournaments played: 16
- Wins: 0
- Top 10s: 2
- Top 25s: 4
- Missed cuts: 6
- Most consecutive cuts made: 5
Results in World Golf Championship events
| Tournament | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accenture Match Play Championship WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship The WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is one of the annual World Golf Championships. It is a knockout event and is staged in January or February each year... |
DNP | DNP | 4 2011 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship -Ben Hogan bracket:-Gary Player bracket:-Sam Snead bracket:-Final Four:-Breakdown by country:-Prize money and FedEx Cup points breakdown:* Sources: -External links:*... |
| Cadillac Championship | 72 | DNP | DNP |
| Bridgestone Invitational WGC-Bridgestone Invitational The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is one of the annual World Golf Championships for male professional golfers. It is sanctioned and organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours and the prize money is official money on both the PGA Tour and the PGA European Tour... |
DNP | T22 | T21 |
| HSBC Champions | DNP | DNP | DNP |
DNP = Did not play
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.
U.S. national team appearances
Professional- Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
: 20102010 Ryder CupThe 38th Ryder Cup matches were held 2010 at the Celtic Manor Resort in the city of Newport, Wales. It was the first time the competition was staged in Wales. With the USA as the defending Cup holder the event was played on the newly-constructed Twenty 10 course, specifically designed for the... - Presidents CupPresidents CupThe Presidents Cup is a series of men's golf matches between a team representing the United States and an International Team representing the rest of the world less Europe. Europe competes against the U.S. in a similar but considerably older event, the Ryder Cup. The Presidents Cup is held biennially...
: 20112011 Presidents CupUnited States 19 - International 15The 9th Presidents Cup Matches were held from 17 to 20 November 2011. They were played at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia. The United States team won by a score of 19 to 15 over the International team. Jim Furyk won all five of his...
(winners)