by G. Rennie
Bubba Watson continues to burnish his reputation as an anything but a conventional professional golfer. He added to his reputation as a petulant adolescent today with both his golf game and his wagging tongue.
Watson spurned the PGA on the tenth tee of his practice round at Valhalla, the site of the 96th PGA Championship, as hit split the fairway with a three iron and not a driver.
So what? This week the PGA re-instituted a pre-championship competition for the longest drive on one selected hole with the winner garnering some cash to be donated to his favorite charity. It’s a fun idea that would add some interest for the fans crowding the grounds on a practice day, recall earlier days when greats of the game, like Nicklaus and Snead bested their peers, and raise a bit of scratch for a worthy cause. Bubba has been the biggest bomber on tour for a number of seasons and currently ranks 1st in average driving. He was the chalk to win but maybe he didn’t like the pressure to do so?
But none of these were reasons good enough for Bubba, let alone having the good manners to graciously go along with the organization that invited him to play (the PGA of America).
Bubba said “it was a hokey idea” in his afternoon press conference. Among other things he said were “I don’t care what people think about me” and “I have enough trouble keeping my wife happy.”
I think Mrs. Watson might give Bubba an earful about one of those statements but probably not the one about not caring what folks think about him.
Clearly Bubba doesn’t value the opinion of others but he should. It’s just good manners to do so. Not to the extent that you conform to outrageous expectations but just to have the decency to pitch in, with no real cost, to help a good cause while giving back to the game that has afforded him the luxury of living, and acting, like a rock star.
I’ve come to the conclusion that Bubba has a real chip on his shoulder and has a need to see himself in a battle with the world at large. He says he reads the bible but I bet (not much of a biblical scholar, myself) there’s a bunch of stuff in that good book that talks about community and helping others. Well, maybe he didn’t get to that part yet.
It was bad day for Bubba Watson and his reputation. My suggestion is that Bubba stay away from the microphones and press conferences until he grows up and do all his talking with his sticks.
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