'It's Only Awkward In The Media' - Bubba Watson Plays Down PGA-LIV Rivalry
Bubba Watson says he will play the Masters Par 3 Contest with Jason Day and Cameron Young at Augusta
Bubba Watson says he’ll be playing the Par 3 Contest at the Masters with Jason Day and Cameron Young after insisting the relationship between LIV and PGA Tour golfers is “only awkward in the media”.
Much has been made about the meeting of the two golfing factions at Augusta National when LIV Golf stars will take on their PGA Tour counterparts in the first Major of the year.
The Masters always has the biggest and most prolonged build-up due to its position in the calendar, but it’s even bigger this year due to the on-going split in professional golf.
And there has been shots fired continually from both sides, with departing LIV golfers taking aim at Jay Monahan while PGA Tour players such as Rory McIlroy have criticised LIV boss Greg Norman.
Apart from McIlroy’s much-publicised spat with Sergio Garcia and his exchange of words with Patrick Reed in Dubai, most players insist that the main beef is between officials of the two organisations and not the players.
Brooks Koepka has insists nobody is angry with players who have decided to go to LIV, and Watson has always said the same – with the two-time Masters champion reiterating the fact ahead of his return to Augusta.
“I'm going to be honest, man. It's only awkward in the media,” Watson said ahead of the third LIV Golf League event of the season in Orlando.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“I've talked to people that are going to be there. I'm going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the par-three. Some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds.
“Media is the only one that is pushing it. I have nothing against anybody. If you change jobs, I'm not mad at you. If you start reporting for somebody else, hey, man, it's a better decision for you and your family. Have at it.”
Rory McIlroy right to defend PGA Tour
Watson can also see where McIlroy is coming from as perhaps the most outspoken LIV critic, saying the Northern Irishman is “protecting his entity, man. He's protecting his business, which is fine.”
The 44-year-old is looking forward to play in the Par 3 Contest, after seeing changes Augusta National has made to the short course.
“First of all, it was amazing. I didn't know that they changed the par-3 course,” Watson added after a seeing it on a recent visit.
“When I drove in to go to the cabin, I was over there by the par-3 course, and so to see the first six holes change was crazy in what they did in that amount - I think 150 days to change that was crazy.”
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Should You Get A Free Drop If Your Ball Is In A Puddle In A Bunker?
What happens if your ball ends up in a puddle in a bunker. Are you entitled to a free drop and how should you take it?
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Lotte Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Grace Kim defends her title as the Hawaii event offers and increased payout for the 2024 edition
By Mike Hall Published
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The DP World Tour Play-Offs section of the season begins with the first of two elevated events to decide the Race to Dubai champion
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golf’s Bubba Watson Returning To The Mic In Star-Studded Match
A host of iconic faces from the world of sport and entertainment will come together for the latest edition of 'The Match' on primetime TV later this month
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Much Money Rory McIlroy Has Made Every Year On The PGA And DP World Tours
Rory McIlroy is one of the highest paid golfers in the history of the sport - but how much has he won each year on the PGA and DP World Tours?
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Did Rory McIlroy Forecast ‘Cutthroat’ PGA Tour Changes?
The PGA Tour is set to vote on several key changes to the circuit - including the reduction of field sizes, which McIlroy called for earlier this year...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Jon Rahm And Ludvig Aberg Among Big Names Missing Abu Dhabi Championship As Rory McIlroy Headlines Field
The entry list for the first DP World Tour Play-Offs event is in, with the top 70 teeing it up at Yas Links next week
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Bubba Watson To Make International Series Debut Following Tough LIV Golf Season
The two-time Masters champion will compete against rival LIV golfers and the leading Asian Tour players at the BNI Indonesian Masters later this month
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated