Bubba Watson Turns Back On Fans, Won’t Participate In “Hokey” Long-Drive Contest
Bubba Watson has been a fan favorite for a long time, due to his ability to smash the shit out of the ball with his pink driver in what is now referred to as “Bubba Long.” With the PGA Championship bringing back the long-drive competition at Valhalla this week, Bubba was the clear favorite–he holds the longest drive on tour this year by 27 yards. Just imagine Bubba grippin’ and rippin’ drives with no regard for humanity or for where his Pro V1 lands. Unfortunately, Bubba won’t treat us to this spectacle, as he has turned his back on what has made him so popular with the fans.
From Jason Sobel of Golfchannel.com:
I’m not going to do it,” Watson told GolfChannel.com after his round.
“I’m there to play golf, not to hit it far,” said the namesake of BubbaGolf. “I’ve got to practice. I’ve never been to the course. I don’t need to worry about a long drive on the 10th hole.”
During the practice round on Tuesday, fans gathered at the tenth tee to see him rip just one of his famous drives, but Bubba pulled out a 3-iron.
Bubba was asked about the decision to hit a 3-iron, and he indicated he did it to “prove a point” while calling the contest “hokey.” He added, “There’s no reason to make something up in the middle of a practice round like that.”
It’s just the latest in unnecessarily stupid complaints from Bubba, but this one was especially perplexing. The main reason he cited for having an issue with the contest was, “I don’t think we should have a competition like that while we are trying to learn the golf course.” He said that after hitting a club the he’s not going to hit during actual competitive play, so it had absolutely no “practice” or “learning” effect. His reasoning and method of protest make no sense.
Since when did Bubba become such a unenthusiastic dick? This is a major change from his preparation for last year’s PGA Championship.
Bubba has done his fair share of bitching on tour, but we’ve overlooked it because he typically gives the fans what they want.
New, serious Bubba won’t have that luxury.
[via SB Nation]
Image via Vine
Bubba has always had this side to him, it just gets constantly overlooked. The man can crush a ball. He just doesn’t feel like he has anything to prove to himself or his fans.
10 years ago at 12:24 pmDorn at the office this morning: “let me write the article on the supermodel so people dont think i spend all my time with 10 year old fillipino boys”
10 years ago at 12:31 pmI was on the 17th tee at Phoenix this past February (Saturday) when Bubba came strolling out of the stadium on 16. Dude proceeds to ignore everyone hollering at him and shows the cold shoulder. Every other golfer played along with a smile, but Bubba couldn’t be bothered. Lighten up, Bubs, it’s the Phoenix Open.
10 years ago at 1:24 pmHappy Gilmore would have crushed it.
10 years ago at 1:35 pmTaking your practice round for a professional golf tournament seriously makes you an “unenthusiastic dick”?
10 years ago at 3:05 pmTreating your job like a fucking job. Someone crucify this guy. He doesn’t get payed to slap hands with middle aged, balding men. He gets payed to win golf tournaments in debatably the most competitive era of golf the world’s ever seen.
10 years ago at 3:58 pmhow the fuck can someone tee up a 3 iron on a par 5 and claim they’re taking their practice round ‘seriously’
10 years ago at 11:30 pmThe same guy who had everybody cheer during his first drive at the much more prestigious Ryder Cup.
10 years ago at 8:42 amWalking off the tee before the other guy hits. TdoucheM. Bubba was afraid to get beaten like LeBron is in the dunk contest.
10 years ago at 2:45 pmI think Bubba needs to get laid, and/or hang out with Dustin Johnson more.
10 years ago at 6:19 pm