News: TOUR Notes
May 9 2012
12:05 pm
Congratulate Watson for April award
Watson wins Player of Month award
Bubba Watson was named the AVIS Player of the Month for April, receiving 53 percent of the vote from PGATOUR.COM voters.
Masters champion Bubba Watson has been voted April’s PGA TOUR Player of the Month presented by Avis. On behalf of Watson, Avis, the official rental car company of the PGA TOUR, will make a $50,000 contribution to The First Tee of Northwest Florida.
In a fan decision on PGATOUR.COM, Watson received 53 percent of the votes and outpolled Hunter Mahan, Carl Pettersson and Jason Dufner. The four were nominated by a panel of national media for their performances during the month of April.
Watson captured the Masters Tournament in a sudden-death playoff over Louis Oosthuizen. It was Watson’s first major championship and fourth career PGA TOUR victory. Two weeks later, Watson followed up with a tie for 18th as the defending champion of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“Thanks to Avis, I am happy to donate $50,000 to The First Tee of Northwest Florida,” said Watson. “I have been involved in The First Tee program for years in Pensacola and continue to believe that the program has a fantastic impact on kids. The PGA TOUR is making a significant push for The First Tee in 2012 and I am very happy to help support that effort."
To find out more about the program, click here.
Want to congratulate Watson? Send a note below and we’ll pass it along.
2012 AVIS PLAYER OF THE MONTH WINNERS
| January | Johnson Wagner | Click for player page |
| February | Phil Mickelson | Click for player page |
| March | Justin Rose | Click for player page |
| April | Bubba Watson | Click for player page |
News: TOUR Notes
May 3 2012
1:26 pm
Watson skipping PLAYERS
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM
Bubba Watson will skip next week’s PLAYERS Championship in order to spend more time at home with his wife and their newly adopted 2-month-old son Caleb.
The Masters champion made the announcement Thursday via Twitter, saying, “I’ve decided to pull out of the PLAYERS. I need to spend more time with Caleb and Angie, plan to take at least a month off. The PLAYERS is one of the best weeks of the year but bonding with my son and wife is what it is all about right now.”
Watson has played just once, at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he was the defending champion. He tied for 18th in the event and talked about not having enough time with his new son since winning his first career major and returning from a two-day media blitz in New York.
Earlier, Watson pulled out of this week’s Wells Fargo Championship. He said Thursday he planned to take at least a month off.
“Sorry to disappoint fans but the PLAYERS has one of the best fields all year, tourney is more than fine without me” Watson tweeted. “I feel blessed and excited that I get to spend quality time with Caleb and Angie in the next few weeks. I am lucky to play golf for a living, it allows me to pick my own schedule.”
Watson has made nine starts this season and hasn’t finished outside the top 18. He has played in the PLAYERS every year since 2007 with his best finish coming in 2009 when he tied for 37th. In three of his five trips to TPC Sawgrass, he’s missed the cut.
"We respect Bubba’s decision in light of the unique and life-changing circumstances of the past month,” said Ty Votaw, Executive Vice President of Communications and International Affairs for the PGA TOUR. “His focus on his family is admirable, as was his decision to honor his commitment to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans as defending champion. We look forward to having him back on the TOUR soon."
Round 4: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
April 29 2012
5:07 pm
Watson headed home to family
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
AVONDALE, La. — Bogeys on his first two holes could easily have set the wrong tone for Bubba Watson on Sunday at TPC Louisiana.
Instead, the admittedly exhausted Masters champ reeled off three straight birdies to get back on track on the way to a 70 that left Watson at 11 under and tied for 17th. Not a bad title defense for Watson, who crept within four points of the lead in the FedExCup in the process.
"Kept my head together," Watson said when asked what he did best on Sunday. "Quick bogeys on the first two holes can easily ruin your round and make you get down on yourself. I stayed with it so my mind was good today and I stayed with it and somehow shot a couple under."
Watson is looking forward to a week off. Next up is likely THE PLAYERS in two weeks and then the Memorial Tournament, although Watson said he’s going to "go home and be a dad and husband and see how I feel in a couple days" before making any promises.
Watson and his wife Angie, who adopted a month-old son the week before the Masters, have rented a home in the Isleworth community in Orlando. He hasn’t spent much time there, though, in the aftermath of the Masters after going on a media blitz in New York and playing in Tim Tebow’s charity event.
"My mind is with my wife and my kid," Watson said. "I want to go home and spend time with them. I want to be a better husband, a better dad. I want to learn how to be a dad. You know, we’ve had him for five weeks. I’ve only been home for maybe two weeks.
"So I just want to go home and then see what feels like to be a real dad, you know, and be there and support my wife and everything. So, that’s where I really want to be right now."
9:30 am
Bubba excited about final round
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
AVONDALE, La. — Bubba Watson was talking like a new man after the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
A little sleep and a round of 65 will do that for you. In fact, the reigning Masters champion, a man who had talked all week about how mentally drained he was in the aftermath of that win two weeks ago at Augusta National, had a noticeable enthusiasm in his voice again.
In fact, the defending champion of the Zurich Classic was even talking about trying to make a run at the title on Sunday. Granted, he’s 9 under and eight strokes behind Jason Dufner, but he’s got positive vibes at TPC Louisiana.
"(I) basically kicked myself in the butt, you know, said, ‘Look if you’re going to come out here you better come out here to win,’" Watson said. "I made the cut on the number. Knew if I could shoot something under par the next 2 days it would be respectable. Got a lot lower than I really was hoping for. …
"I’m still in it. I shoot another low one (Sunday), I could get the lead again."
Watson, who played the par 5s in 5 under on Saturday and 10 under for the week, said he’s slept about 20 hours in the last two days. His focus has improved and it showed on the course, as he made seven birdies — including four straight to start the round — and an eagle while dropping just one shot to par when he found the water at No. 17, which was his eighth hole of the day.
"Made a lot of good putts and swings," Watson said. "Hit a lot of greens today. Made some putts. Turned out to a low score. … So long as I don’t choke tomorrow, I should have a good shot at it."
Round 2: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
April 27 2012
7:50 pm
Bubba survives to play weekend
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
AVONDALE, La. — Masters champion Bubba Watson, who also happens to be defending his title at TPC Louisiana, will be back to play the weekend. But just barely.
The affable Floridian, who became a father two weeks before he beat Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff at Augusta National, made an 11-footer for birdie at the 17th hole to sneak about the cutline. He’s shot matching 71s in the first two rounds and made good use of the time between his early-late starts.
"I slept for a little over ten hours yesterday," Watson said. "My tee time is bright and early tomorrow. Just rest, hopefully stay hydrated and just try to grind it out. Try to get in that Top 25. Right now I’m barely making the cut. Try to sneak up the leaderboard like some of the other guys are doing."
For the second straight day Watson said he’s had a hard time maintaining his focus. He’s admittedly living out a dream, but the fact remains that he’s mentally drained and his concentration is not there.
"I know that seems like a cop-out but I’m not playing very good because I’m just really not into it," Watson said. "… It’s just overwhelming all the positive energy that everybody is coming with and all the signatures everybody wants. …
"It’s overwhelming. I’m not really focused on golf. It’s something you got to learn from and hopefully get better with it.”
Watson managed to make an eagle and two birdies on Friday while dropping three shots to par. He found three more fairways on Friday but took 33 putts for the second straight day.
5:00 pm
Watch: ‘Bubba golf’
Watson eagles No. 7
Bubba Watson reaches the 561-yard par-5 7th hole in two and holes the 24-foot putt for eagle.
Round 1: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
April 26 2012
5:55 pm
‘Exhausted’ Watson shoots 71
Interview: Bubba Watson
Following his opening-round 71, Bubba Watson talks about his play in the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans with John Maginnes from SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio.
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
AVONDALE, La. — Usually after an early morning tee time, Bubba Watson would have done his post-round interviews, grabbed a bite to eat and hit the fitness trailer or headed to the practice range.
On Thursday, though, after Watson shot 71 in his first competitive round since winning the Masters, he was looking forward to a nap. Maybe two or three.
"My body is not where it wants to be," Watson explained. "I can’t hit shots that I want to hit. I can’t hit it and make putts. I’m struggling out there. Just exhausted. Mentally exhausted."
Watson, who leads the TOUR in driving distance, said hitting a shot "full bore" right now is draining. He finds himself taking deep breaths trying to summon up some energy, too. Since he’s the defending champion at TPC Louisiana, though, Watson knew he needed to compete.
"I had to be here for that and I’m here but mentally I’m not here," he said. "I’m so out of it right now. Golf is a hard thing to do right now."
Watson started on the back Thursday and was 2 over after seven holes. But he managed to play his next nine in 4 under before missing a 4-footer to save par at No. 8. He only found seven fairways but managed to hit all but three greens in regulation.
Watson’s caddy, Ted Scott, gave his boss a pep talk early in the round.
"After a couple holes, he was like, ‘If you miss the cut here you’re still Masters champion. Don’t get down on yourself.’" Watson said. "He said a good week is going to be making the cut, then a great week is going to be anything in the Top 25. So, that’s what we looked at.
“That’s what I kept grinding about and somehow I had a few birdies. I had a little hiccup the 17th hole. All in all, under par is good."
Watson played with Webb Simpson, the man he beat in the playoff a year ago, and Steve Stricker on Thursday. The group teed off No. 10 at 7:30 a.m. local time, and given the hour a surprisingly large contingent of New Orleans fans turned out to offer their support.
"They had some great golf to watch," Watson said. "Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson make birdies every hole seemed like. I was just there to fill the spot. It’s always good to have a big crowd like that, especially people pulling for you."
Stricker, who won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions earlier this year, ended up shooting a 66 that left him one shot off the lead held by Ken Duke and Cameron Tringale. Simpson was tied with Stricker with one hole remaining but settled for a 68 after a water-logged double bogey at No. 9.
"We had a big following right away starting on No. 10 and rightly so," Stricker said. "Everybody wants to come out and see (Watson) and watch his game. And, you know, he brings a lot of attention to our game which is nice to see other than Tiger and Phil, and that’s good for our game, too. It brings some extra spotlight at the tournament, brings more people out to watch.
“It’s all good when Bubba is playing."
Stricker played with Watson in the first two rounds a year ago as the eventual champ shot rounds of 66 and 68. Stricker, who remembers Watson picking the TPC Louisiana apart during the first two rounds in 2011, went on to tie for 13th.
"Really it’s fun anytime you can go out with Bubba and watch his game," Stricker said. "He plays such a unique style. He hits it forever. It’s really unfair at times, you know, how far he hits it. It’s usually about four clubs difference. … He’s hitting an 8-iron, I’m maybe hitting a 4-iron. Utility club I hit one time, he hit a 8-iron.
"It’s just bizarre distance that’s he hits it but he shapes it, too. He’s fun to watch and you know the gallery we had out there was pretty cool to see him."
News: Equipment notes
April 25 2012
1:44 pm
Curtis’ new irons and Louis’ gold
By John Schwarb, PGATOUR.COM
One of the year’s better stories on the PGA TOUR was authored last week by Ben Curtis, ending a six-year winless drought on TOUR with a win at the Valero Texas Open.
Curtis was the Cinderella champion won the 2003 British Open (Valero T2 finisher John Huh was 13 years old then) and two events in 2006, then a few years later dropped off the radar. This year he as many starts on the European Tour than the PGA TOUR (three each) before winning in Texas.
In winning by two shots at TPC San Antonio, Curtis had another first of sorts – the first win for Titleist’s AP1 712 irons. Most Titleist players on TOUR play the AP2 irons, which have more of a traditional blade feel and less offset. The AP1 irons have a high-density tungsten sole weight positioned toward the toe, increasing ball speed on off-center hits and reducing twist at impact.
Curtis had a 4-iron through pitching wedge in his AP1 set – which we’ll see a lot more of in the U.S. now that Curtis has winner’s status again on TOUR.
GOLDEN: Ping has enjoyed a great season so far, with wins on TOUR by Mark Wilson (Humana Challenge), John Huh (Mayakoba Golf Classic), Hunter Mahan (World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Shell Houston Open).
All of its players have a gold-plated replica of their winning putters put in Ping’s vault in Scottsdale, Ariz., and sometimes even more special additions are put in the vault. A double eagle at the Masters would qualify, so a gold S56 4-iron was added to the vault recently in honor of Louis Oosthuizen’s feat. He also received one for his collection.
WEEKENDER: David Duval tested a Callaway Razr Fit driver against a Titleist 910D3 and TaylorMade RBZ last week, with the Callaway going into his bag at Valero at 9.1 degrees loft. He ended up making his first cut of the season after seven misses, and shot his best round on Sunday (71) to finish in a tie for 60th.
BY A HAIR: Amazing how just the slightest adjustments make all the difference for TOUR players. At TPC San Antonio, Derek Lamely thought a flatter lie angle would help to stop losing shots to the left with his 15-degree Callaway Diablo Octane Tour fairway wood. Callaway techs adjusted the angle by one degree – from 59 to 58 – allowing him to hit a baby fade. No more lefts. He finished T35 at Valero, his second-best finish of the season.
WINNER’S BAG: Curtis at the Valero Texas Open:
Driver: Titleist 910D3 (Aldila RIP NV 65X shaft, 8.5 degrees)
Fairway wood: Titleist 910Fd, (Aldila RIP 80X shaft, 13.5 degrees)
Hybrids: Titleist 910H (Aldila hybrid NV 85X shafts; 18, 20 degrees)
Irons: Titleist AP1 712 (Dynamic Gold shafts; 4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Spin Milled C-C 200 (52 degrees), C-C TVD (58 degrees)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
News: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
April 24 2012
4:27 pm
Fellowship strikes chord with Crane
Interview: Ben Crane
Ben Crane meets with the media and talks about the genesis of the Golf Boys videos and the fun he's had making them.
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
AVONDALE, La. — Years from now, when people are asked what they remember most about the 2012 Masters, they’ll undoubtedly talk about the amazing shot Bubba Watson curved out of the trees onto the green on the second playoff hole.
A close second, though, will surely be the tearful and heartfelt hugs after Watson tapped in for the winning par. First, from his mother, Molly, and then from Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler and Aaron Baddeley, who made their way to the 10th green to support their good friend.
Crane and Fowler had been watching the final four holes unfold in the caddy area.
"We kept looking at each other like, he’s got a chance, he’s got a chance," Crane remembered on Tuesday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. "Rickie was in casual clothes, and I said, buddy, you’d better change. You’d better look presentable if we go out."
Once the playoff with Louis Oosthuizen began, the three decided to follow the action. Knowing his wife Angie was at home with the son the couple had adopted two weeks earlier heightened their sense of urgency.
"We knew that Angie was at home, she wasn’t able to come out because of the situation with their baby, and so we just wanted to go out and support our friend who we love," Crane said. "So that’s one of the best things about being on TOUR, about winning tournaments — just the fellowship out here, the community.
"It’s so fun to do it with your friends. People ask me what’s the highlight of your career. For me it’s not like a victory, it’s doing it with my friends and family and doing it for the right reasons, which is to glorify God."
The buddies talked a couple of Augusta National members into giving them a ride down the 18th fairway. They ended up at the back left of the green just as Watson hit the shot from the trees.
"I’m like, oh, gosh, is that right at us?" Crane recalled. "Your reaction is like, oh, it’s going to hit you. You always think the ball is coming right at you, right? It started out, I’m going, oh, boy, this is way off line, and all of a sudden it put on the blinker.
“But I wasn’t watching the ball at this point. I’m just like ducking, right? Fight or flight, right? And then all of a sudden people started clapping. I’m like, what? I look up and I see the ball, like oh, my gosh. Obviously it will be one of the greatest shots of our era to be hit. Just an incredible shot."
News: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
April 23 2012
12:17 pm
Matchups set for Zurich Classic
The pairings have been unveiled for this week’s PGA TOUR Matchups Game on Facebook. You can check out the Matchups for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans below, or on the PGA TOUR’s Facebook page.
Participants have until 6 a.m. ET Thursday to make their picks. Log on to the PGA TOUR Facebook page and click the Matchups link to make your picks for this week, or to sign up.
GO TO FACEBOOK PAGE TO PLAY MATCHUPS GAME
| Bubba Watson vs. Keegan Bradley | Two major winners square off. Bubba is the reigning champ. |
| Graeme McDowell vs. Luke Donald | Two Euros inside the FedExCup top 30 do battle in NoLa. |
| Nick Watney vs. David Toms | Who wins between these past champions off to slow ’12 starts? |
| Ben Curtis vs. Ben Crane | Battling Bens, both boasting four wins, head to TPC Louisiana. |
| Webb Simpson vs. Steve Stricker | Consistency is key for both players. Which one has the edge? |
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