Bubba Watson eyeing Masters return regardless of doubtlessly awkward dinner amid LIV-PGA Tour feud
Issues are certain to be awkward at Augusta Nationwide this spring.
Bubba Watson, nonetheless, insists he isn’t anxious about any of that.
Watson is one among six totally different Masters winners who’ve since left the PGA Tour for the LIV Golf league — which is able to begin its second season subsequent month in Mexico. Whereas Watson and different LIV Golf gamers are suspended from enjoying in Tour occasions, within the first main championship of the 12 months, ought to they qualify.
“I used to be very grateful that we get to return to the Masters … I’ll get to Augusta as quick as I can,” Watson mentioned Tuesday forward of the PIF Saudi Worldwide.
Watson gained 12 instances in his profession on Tour, together with at The Masters in 2012. That can earn him — together with fellow LIV Golf members Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Reed and Charl Schwartzel — a spot on the famed Champions dinner forward of the match in April.
That, assuming the group attends, is certain to be at the very least a little bit tense. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler even joked final 12 months that he’d sit Watson and others at a separate desk.
“So long as I am within the Champions Dinner, I am tremendous,” Watson mentioned, joking, on Tuesday. “I will sit wherever he tells me. It is tremendous. So long as I am allowed again, I will sit wherever he desires me to. I will sit exterior and simply stare within the window.”
Individuals truly care about LIV Golf group names, apparently
One of many distinctive issues that LIV Golf did to separate itself from the PGA Tour and others was to create a group competitors.
Whereas that didn’t essentially catch on very effectively in its inaugural season, and was admittedly a bit complicated, Watson claims that the group names had been one factor that lastly satisfied him to defect to the controversial startup.
His 10-year-old son, he mentioned Tuesday, knew each single group identify — which is one thing Watson mentioned lastly made him notice he ought to take part.
“He didn’t know particular person names, he simply knew group names,” Watson mentioned. “For a 10-year-old to by no means watch the sport of golf however now watches it, now I knew there was a product available. LIV has a distinct segment, it has a purpose.
“My son is used to the Yankees. He’s used to the Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs … When my 10-year-old by no means watches golf and now watches golf, and my 8-year-old daughter now understands the groups, she is aware of my new brand. My household was part of making the brand new brand and new group colours. That’s what we’re making an attempt to do.”