NASSAU, Bahamas – Bubba Watson once said that if he ever amassed 10 victories he’d retire from professional golf, but on Sunday following his three-stroke victory at the Hero World Challenge, he clarified that statement.
The World Challenge is Watson’s ninth victory as a professional, although the event does not count as an official PGA Tour win. Watson was asked if he wins next week’s Thailand Golf Championship, will he follow through on his retirement plans?
“Ten U.S. victories,” he explained. “I don’t count this as a PGA Tour victory. It counts as a victory. It’s very big for my career personally, but I don’t see it as 10.”
Watson did add to his earlier retirement comments, however.
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“If I ever become No. 1 in the world, I’m walking away. I’m going to walk away on top,” he smiled. “But let’s be honest, nobody here’s voting on that, right? Everybody thinks I’m not going to do that.”
Watson entered the week fourth in the world and his victory at the World Challenge was worth 46 ranking points, but it wasn’t enough to move him past No. 3 Rory McIlroy in the ranking.
