Bubba Watson’s first news conference at a PGA Tour event since winning the Masters ranged from topics as diverse as changing diapers and to why he thinks his victory resonated so well with the ‘Average Joe.’
Watson spent more than 30 minutes answering questions Tuesday before he begins defense of his title at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
Some highlights:
• Watson says there isn’t much different about him since he won the Masters, except that he’s tired after a whirlwind tour of talk-show appearances and media obligations.
Still, Watson said he wouldn’t miss returning to New Orleans.
“I felt obligated to my fans and New Orleans that I should be here,” Watson said. “It was the right thing to do.
“I live three hours away in Pensacola, and I felt like this would be a good opportunity for my friends and family from there to come over.”
• Though he would like to be home more with his wife, Angie, and his adopted baby boy, Caleb, Watson said he has changed five diapers so far.
“They were pee-pee diapers, they were very easy,” Watson said. “I’ve made a deal with my wife that that is all I have to change, just the pee-pee diapers.”
• About the popularity of his victory, Watson has a theory:
“I’m just the average Joe. I’m from Bagdad, Fla., a small town. I play golf because I love playing golf. It’s fun. I think that resonates with everybody. I played public golf courses growing up. I think everyone can see my swing is home grown and everyone has a chance to do this with hard work, dedication and practice . . . and not worry about what everyone says.”
“When you’re on the range, you don’t make a bet with somebody that swings terrible but somehow gets the ball to go straight, because for some reason he owns his swing and knows how to play the game.”
• About his giant hooked wedge around the trees that set up his Masters’ victory in the second playoff hole, Watson said:
“When it comes to the creativity, that’s just who I am. It thrills me because then I can pull off some shots. That’s exciting, I don’t care if the fans were there or not . . . It was off the pine straw, and I knew I could make it come out hot. I just rolled my wrists over and hooked it about 40 yards . . . To get that close was very special. I was expecting front of the green, maybe center of the green, you never expect it that close.”
His reaction to the shot: “Whew, I’m pretty good.”
• About the way his mind works, Watson said: “My mind is totally different . . . I’m goofy and mixed up in the head.”
