5 years ago, Bubba Watson hit a shot into a creek by the 18th green with a 6-iron. That shot was what ultimate cost him the title. Upon seeing the ball sink into the water, Martin Kaymer zeroed in on the prize, making a bogey on the par-4 hole and winning the entire championship by a stroke. Bubba couldn’t quite believe his own bad luck. “I asked the cameraman, ‘Where did the ball go?’ I thought at worst it was just short of the green in the bunker and I could chip it up and hopefully make par. I didn’t know it was in the water 25, 30 yards short of the green. There’s no way.” But unfortunately for Bubba, it did sink along with his hopes for the trophy.
But still, he remains optimistic about the upcoming PGA Championship and insists that he will still be using the same 6-iron that hit that fateful shot. He’s not known for being the most gracious loser around, but he’s certainly emerging from his loss with newfound determination and fighting spirit. He’s used his runner-up finish as incentive to win the Masters in 2012 and in 2014.
“It just showed that I have the ability to play golf in a tough competition like that. That I have the ability to perform at a high level under stressful situations… I did everything I was supposed to do, except one guy beat me.”
For once, Bubba, you have the right attitude.
