Bubba Watson outside the ‘big four’ but still a big player

When compiling any shortlist of candidates for this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship, Bubba Watson has to feature. He has been, after all, the top aggregate scorer in the two years since the redesign of Doral's Blue Monster course.

For the upcoming Masters? Again, it would be nonsensical not to include a player with such aptitude for Augusta National in permutations. He has already donned the Green Jacket twice. Placed in further context, Watson has matched the Masters success tally of Ben Hogan and Tom Watson. Number three would not only rank him alongside Sam Snead, Gary Player and Nick Faldo but within one of Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer.

Watson has nine PGA Tour victories to his name and he smiles when insisting victory at the non-verified Hero World Challenge at the end of last year means he has already reached a stated goal of 10. On Tuesday, Watson was fitted up for the United States outfit he will surely don when golf returns to the Olympics this summer.

Comparing Watson's credentials with Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, Adam Scott or Justin Rose – age differentials notwithstanding – you would have a player regarded firmly in the upper narrative of golf. And yet, continually, Watson doesn't seem to feature as part of that storyline. He is overlooked, or grudgingly included.

The reasons for this are two-fold. Firstly, it suits golf to have what has now been stretched to a youthful "Big Four" of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Day and Fowler. The 37-year-old Watson, a relative veteran in comparison, would skew the picture.

Moreover, and probably more pertinently, Watson has never been regarded as the most likable or appealing player on tour. There has been a child-like perception which Watson himself has fuelled. His on-course conduct has been questionable, just as his sentiments off it – from comments relating to homosexuality to ignorance regarding Paris landmarks – have raised eyebrows. You wouldn’t be swamped on any given tournament week by those rooting for a Watson win.

And yet, perhaps the time has come to afford Watson’s existing achievements greater respect. In terms of his character, he routinely has the public backing of Spieth and Fowler; both brilliant guys, both apparently well-capable of sussing out bluffers from those with substance.

Watson has his obvious flaws. This week in Miami, he insisted once again that the media are prone to “twisting” his words. He is strangely uncomfortable and nervous in that press scenario for one so high-profile and experienced. The obvious explanation is that Watson is shy. His continual raising of what he perceives as negative coverage shows him as more sensitive than given credit for, as well.

Yet when he wants to make a point he is perfectly capable of forcibly doing so; recently at the Phoenix Open, Watson conceded he had little care at all for the venue but was playing out of respect for his sponsors. One article subsequently labelled Watson “the most spoiled brat on the PGA Tour”. Fans booed him. Watson’s crime appeared no more than having the temerity to tell the truth.

Watson has again been blunt with his thoughts regarding the Open Championship, where he has historically made no impact at all; primarily because of a high ball-flight which is so susceptible to windy conditions. “I’m never changing my game for a certain tournament,” Watson said. “I love the game of golf over in Scotland, links golf, true links golf. I love it. But one week, going over for one week is hard for me to get where I need to be to perform at a high level.

“I’ve had moments over there that I’ve played well in stretches but not good enough. The last two years, I think I missed the US Open and the Open cuts. But overall, I’m happy with all my years, so I’m not going to change my golf or my style just for those two events.”

In a broader golfing sense, Watson’s work admirably continues to defy convention. He has still never had a lesson, still has no sense of looking for one, and freewheels his way around golf courses in an unorthodox manner which can prove brilliantly entertaining.

Watson is one of few players upon whom youngsters can take inspiration as an enthralling, fast-paced, self-taught shot-maker. The left-hander speaks as routine about his goal of growing golf, rather than seeking ranking points, trophies and plaudits.

During pre-tournament media duties in Doral, Watson shuffled uncomfortably and explained the earlier angst of his management over a controversial response when posed with the Donald Trump question. The eventual answer wasn't troublesome at all.

The Floridian explained the demons which plague his mind over crucial shots; not, as would be common, a fear over bunkers or water but the drifting towards what new films may be out or lines from old ones. “Things kind of pop in my head and I kind just of just run with them,” Watson said. “So I’m trying to get things to quit popping in my head.”

The added sentiment offered proper insight into Watson’s aspirations. “As I mature and get older and become a better husband and father, I’m slowing down on the golf course and realising that the bogey is not as bad as it used to be when I was just a single man fighting for my card,” he said.

“I’m going to have moments, I’m going to have bad days, even at home I’m going to have bad days. We all get sick or tired or something, or something’s bothering us. When you look at that, it means my attitude has got to change because my little man’s going to find out about YouTube one day and can see all the bad things dad does. By changing who I am or trying to be better, who I am off the golf course is going to add to the golf course and better play, because I think my mental side will get better.”

Self-awareness, self-deprecation. And if Watson’s performance really is to improve, it will be impossible to ignore his standing.

(Guardian service)