The Masters is closer than you think.
The Florida Swing starts this week and it’s Honda, WGC Cadillac, Valspar and Bay Hill. By the time they step off the 72nd hole at Arnold Palmer’s Orlando home, it will be a short 18 days to the first round of the Masters.
Today, right now, if you’re looking for the favorite at Augusta, you’re probably thinking Bubba Watson, if not, you should be.
Watson won last Sunday in Los Angeles and he didn’t really play that well. Bubba credited his improved “mental game” and with a nut like Bubba, it’s all mental.
Put Bubba on a course he doesn’t like, forget it. Put him on a course he likes and it’s Game On.
Here’s the given: Bubba LOVES him some Augusta National and a win there this year will give him Green Jackets in ’12, ’14 and ’16.
Doesn’t that evoke memories of a certain golf legend?
It should. Arnold Palmer became known for winning four Masters titles in even-years only — ’58, ’60, ’62 and ’64.
So is Bubba the new “even years” guy at Augusta National.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he is that guy.
For years and ever since Jack Nicklaus beat the be-jeebers out of everyone on a regular basis at Augusta, the go-to shot was the draw-ball off the tee. Bobby Jones never saw Bubba coming. Talk about a game with which he’d be TOTALLY unfamiliar, it is the home-grown, home-fashioned, feet off the ground, butts and elbows flying swing of one Gerry Watson.
You don’t have to worry about Bubba telling us he needs to go see Butch or Lord Ledbetter or Rick Smith or anyone else that teaches these tour players on a regular basis. Bubba coaches Bubba. He hits a few balls, not many, then plays.
Bubba’s the guy who can cruise his way around Augusta with a power-cut off holes like two, eight, 10, 11, 13 and just about every par four.
He has irons to all the par fives, he’s playing a par 68, if you will. He has the feel and the imagination and did we mention that Bubba Loves Augusta?
You won’t get any of that “I’m only here because I have three beautiful sponsors who love this tournament” crapola.
There will be none of that.
With two Green Jackets already, Bubba is one of the boys in this club that is still a boys club despite what Condoleezza Rice wants to tell you.
The women members at Augusta National are a simple concession to the times. The boys don’t want and don’t need any outside flak. Just let ’em in and pretend they’re important.
Enough said.
Now back to Bubba.
With Bubba, as he told us last week after the third round at Riviera “It’s all about the putter for me.” Augusta National gives him plenty of room to drive it, there’s no rough and Bubba can do pine needles. He has the touch and the imagination to handle the greens. The slopes and undulations are as crazy as Bubba is.
Which brings us back to pre-tournament favorites.
Jordan Spieth looks fragile, Rory McIlroy is inconsistent, Jason Day is day-to-day, if you will, and Rickie Fowler has never won a major.
So why not Bubba?
2012, 2014 and 2016?
Sounds like a trend.
Not that Bubba is trendy, but he’s pretty damn good at Augusta.
Good enough to win again.
