In the coming days, PGA Tour and LIV Golf players will be going head-to-head at the Masters. With the ongoing battle between the two factions picking up steam, two-time Masters winner, Bubba Watson, couldn’t resist weighing in.
Last year, Watson shocked the golfing world with his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV golf. As he primes himself to take on other prominent golfers at the Augusta National in a week, the 44-year-old has said his goal is to “beat them all.”
Watson insists the PGA-LIV battle won’t be a distraction
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Bubba Watson, who emerged as the winner at Augusta National in 2012 and 2014, ruffled a few feathers when he joined LIV Golf last year. At the league’s Orlando tournament on Wednesday, the Florida native insisted that he does not expect a PGA-LIV drama at the Masters.
The organizers at Augusta National have allowed LIV golfers to compete at the Masters this year.
“I’m going to be honest, man. It’s only awkward in the media,” the two-time Masters winner insisted. “I’ve talked to people that are going to be there,” Watson said about his camaraderie with PGA players. “I’m going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the par-3. Some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds.”
He said no extra satisfaction would come from beating PGA Tour players at Augusta National. “I’m trying to beat them all [the whole field]. Just saying,” said Watson.
Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed mean business ahead of the Masters
There are 18 other players in the 89-man field from the LIV golf league, including Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Garcia.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Masters at Orange County National in Orlando, LIV golfers, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed have insisted that it will be “business as usual” at the tournament. Reed clinched the coveted green jacket in 2018. He said that a LIV golfer winning the Masters would bring credibility to the circuit, which is now in its second season.
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“Of course, would I like to have LIV be up at the top? Of course,” said the 32-year-old Reed. “But really, at the end of the day, it’s all of us going in there and just trying to play the best golf we can and be ready for the four biggest weeks of the year.”
Other prominent golfers, including Brooks Koepka, shared their two cents regarding the ongoing PGA-LIV battle. “We see each other quite a bit. I was talking with Rory for probably about 30 minutes just about the ball and all the other stuff that’s going on. No one is angry at anybody from what I’ve seen,” said Koepka regarding PGA Tour golfer, Rory McIlroy and other compatriots.
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Are you looking forward to PGA and LIV golfers going head-to-head at the 2023 Masters? Do you think tensions will be high when they meet? Let us know in the comments below.