Column: Watson gaining attention for his golf

Published 1:09 am Saturday, June 16, 2007

OAKMONT, PA – It’s only the halfway point of the U. S. Open, and while no Bubba has ever won this championship — or any major, for that matter — a player by that name has as good of a chance as anybody who made the cut yesterday.

Bubba Watson, whose background causes as much attention as his name, is one stroke out of the lead with one stunning advantage. He can be found hitting six irons off the tee on par-4 holes. Nobody, not even Tiger Woods, with whom he frequently plays sun-up practice rounds, has a greater power advantage than the former Bulldog golfer. But he wants the golf world to believe, as he does, albeit reluctantly, that there is more in his bag than his driver.

“I like my short game,” he said after a press conference in which his candor caused ripples of laughter, as he nervously engaged in self denigration and admitted to the busting icons when it comes to the routine of professional golfers today — namely his entourage. Actually there is none, save for his wife Angie, a former Lady Dog basketball player whom he met while at Georgia.

He has no coach and says he never really had one. He doesn’t engage a psychologist, and there is no nutritionist making suggestions about what to eat. When he wins — and there can be little doubt if you look at the progression of improvement with each succeeding year on tour — he can proclaim with the greatest of satisfaction: “I did it my way.”

This week, he is exhibiting uncommon patience with those irons off the tee, admitting that when he is back home in Bagdad, Fla. all he wants to do is hit his driver. His ball striking is not too shabby, but what continues to get everybody’s attention is his prodigious distance. He leads the tour in driving distance with an average of 316.2. Early on, when he joined the tour, Bubba took note that while everybody is aware that John Daly can bomb it past most pros, he also has a short game that saves him strokes.

“I found out right away, John Daly can do more than hit it a mile,” Watson said.

Improving every year has been Bubba’s goal. There has not been a season since he left Georgia that he has endured any backsliding. His first full year on the Nationwide Tour, he finished 63rd on the money list. He was 37th the next year and 21st in 2005, which got him exempt for the regular Tour a year ago. In 2006, he became an instant millionaire, winning $1,019,264.

Throughout the extensive interview following his second round 1-over 71, Watson was generous in responding to all questions.

“I’m kinda lazy,” he said, in reference to his disdain for lifting weights.

He hates jogging, but enjoys shooting baskets with his wife, who usually beats him in whatever court games they play.

The only question he refused to answer was his given name. It is not in the PGA media guide, and he never answers to any name other than Bubba. For the record, it’s Gerry Lester, but as he headed out the door to the practice tee, he signed off with, “Just call me Bubba.”