1 He bought the General Lee car in January – a bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger – used in the television series, The Dukes of Hazard, and has driven it to a number of tournaments. But plans to drive it at a NASCAR race, the Phoenix International Raceway, were scuppered when the organisers felt the Confederate flag on top of the car might cause offence.
2 Watson and his wife, Angie, adopted a baby boy – Caleb – just a fortnight ago. When the pair met a number of years ago, Angie – a 6ft 4in basketball player – told him that she couldn’t have children. “That’s fine, if God tells us he wants us to adopt, we’ll adopt,” replied Watson.
3 He hits amazing shots. Of the shot that set up his Masters win, Watson observed: “We had 135 (yards to the) front, is the only number I was looking at. I think we had 164 (to the) hole, give or take, maybe a little less. And I hit my 52-degree, my gap wedge, hooked it about 40 yards, hit it about 15 feet off the ground until it got under the tree and then it started rising. Pretty easy.”
4 He has never taken a golf lesson in his life. Has never talked to a mental coach and has never talked to a nutritionist.
5 Having left college early to pursue his career as a golf professional, Watson – seven years after leaving – completed the necessary exam papers in 2008 to earn a consumer economics degree. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said.
Gerry Lester Watson: The Facts
1978: Born November 5th in Bagdad, Florida
2003: After playing golf at both Faulkner State Community College in Alabama and the University of Georgia, Watson turns professional.
2005: Joins the Nationwide Tour and finished 21st on the money list.
2007: Finished in a tie for fifth behind eventual champion, Angel Cabrera at the US Open at Oakmont.
2010: June 27th – Claims his first USPGA win at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, winning in a sudden death play-off – an emotional win he dedicated to his father who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2009 and died one year later. August 15th – Runner-up at the USPGA Championship, losing in a play-off to Martin Kaymer. His play there earned him a place on the US Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor.
2011: January 30th – Wins his second USPGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open. May 1st – Wins the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in a play-off.
2012: April 8th – Wins the Masters by beating Louis Oosthuizen in a play-off.
