MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 4, 2023

Bubba Watson

Quick Quotes

Q. Bubba, how does it feel to be back out here?

BUBBA WATSON: Really good. Gosh, man, a lot of things go through your head when you have surgery. It's nice to be able to walk, especially with the way this place is. Nice to be able to hit shots, especially with the sidehill lies that we get.

So, yes, always nice to play at this place. And playing in the Masters is always special.

Q. I think most people don't understand, seeing Tiger this year, being able to walk this course is a physical trek for a week. Can you speak to that?

BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, so my wife just had full knee replacement. She's five weeks out of her full knee replacement. She's walking with a cane. It's her second full knee replacement.

So she's got a scooter this week. She's going to be scooting around, weather permitting. Yeah, this is hard.

My dad came here. The only time my dad came here was in 2008, rheumatoid arthritis, and so he couldn't walk. He stayed by 1 tee, 9, 10, and 18. So he only stayed right there because he couldn't walk.

That was the only time he was here before he pass add way. He didn't know how hilly this place was. Then when he got out here and saw it, it's amazing when you get here for the first time.

Q. What were the conditions like out there today?

BUBBA WATSON: Greens are slower than we're used to, but it's a lot of moisture in the air. There's going to be some moisture coming, cold weather coming. I think they have to be safe of how they do it, how they set up the course.

Obviously they have a good history here. They know how to run the course and set up the course.

Today was a lot slower on the greens, especially the pitch marks into the greens. It was a lot softer than expected. Obviously it's because of the weather.

Q. With that weather forecast, how does that change your preparation, or does it?

BUBBA WATSON: You practice the same, but you're just hoping that, when it's rainy, it's hard to get the ball to do what you want it to do. This is a long golf course when it's wet.

And then mud balls. That's what we all talk about. I had a couple mud balls today, but hopefully it drains, doesn't rain as much as the forecast shows, and we get to play some good golf.

Q. One of the hot topics out here this week is 13. Talking to different guys in the field, what's your of plan of attack on that hole?

BUBBA WATSON: It's about hitting a good tee shot. You want to challenge the creek, but at the same time, you don't want to challenge the creek. For me being left-handed, I can slice it off the tee.

Today I had 4-iron in there. I hit a good one to the middle of the green. It all comes down to under pressure if you can pull that shot off. Then the second shot, I had a hanging lie with a 4-iron; I think it was 221 hole. So I hit a 4-iron, and I hit it well. Hit it to the center of the green.

But you know, you take that on Thursday with the weather that's supposed to be here, you're probably going to lay up. So it just depends on how you're feeling and where the ball is at that moment.

Q. Being a former champion and happened again this year, you'll be paired with an amateur Thursday and Friday. What's that like to be able to -- because you're also competing with yourself.

BUBBA WATSON: 100 percent.

Q. But you're also able to guide a person the first time through an event like this. What's that dynamic like?

BUBBA WATSON: You know, I think at this stage of my life, this stage professionally, where I'm at in my personal life, you cheer them on. You watch these young kids. You want them to succeed. You want them to be able to feel what I felt.

Even though I'm trying to beat them, I hope they feel it a year after. I hope I feel it this year and they feel it next year. But you pull for them. You hit good shots. You try to encourage them. You just try to tell them good putt, good shot, and hopefully they enjoy their experience around here however the weather is.

Q. Jenny Bae just got through with an outstanding Women's Amateur. Have you been able to speak to her before or after the tournament?

BUBBA WATSON: No, I haven't spoke to any of the girls. Normally I'm here. I had to play last week. Normally I'm here and I'm supporting the girls and watching them, but I haven't been able to speak to any of them so far.

Q. Was that tough missing that this year?

BUBBA WATSON: Yeah, 100 percent. I've talked to the people at LIV. I want to be here. I want to be here for the juniors. I want to be here for the ladies. I usually get here on Friday. I'm going to do everything I can to finish the tournament on Friday or maybe have it a week earlier.

Again, I have power, but not that much.

Q. Just one question, Bubba. There's been a rumor that LIV will have to make money within five years to not shut down. Is that any concern to you?

BUBBA WATSON: You started the question with, what, it's a rumor? So you're asking me about a rumor. I've never heard that. I've never heard it.

That means, if they shut down, I'll just retire. It's all good with me. I've been blessed, man. Thanks.