‘I Just Beat My Caddie and My Wife’: 8 Months After Major Surgery, Bubba Watson, 44, Maintains Low Expectations Ahead of Return

The 2023 season of the LIV Golf Invitational Series will begin in February. And after not being able to play for the last eight months due to knee surgery, Bubba Watson plans to tee off at the event. Before that, he also has given the green signal for playing at the next week’s Saudi International. However, can the multiple-major champion live up to his old form following the surgery to repair the damaged meniscus? 

The first event of LIV Golf’s second season will kick off in Mayakoba. And it will be the first time Watson would play in a LIV Golf event. Although the league recruited the American golfer last year, he had to remain as a non-playing captain of the Niblicks GC due to his surgery. All he could do was use his years of expertise to guide his team and act as an on-course reporter during the final 5 events of the first Saudi-backed circuit season.

Now, it is time for the 44-year-old golfer to replace his microphone with golf clubs. However, does that mean he would be able to be back to his old form right away? 

Is Bubba Watson prepared for the 2023 season? 

The pro golfer had surgery in June 2022. Therefore, he needs to be careful as his muscles need time. Notably, the last time he played in an official event was at the 2022 PGA Championship held in May.

Although he just had major surgery and is not completely recovered yet, Watson is more than interested in going back to the field and playing. However, he is not 100% sure what outcome he would get after the event. According to a Golf Monthly article by Paul Higham, the LIV Golf defector acknowledged the situation he is currently in. “I’m still trying to build that leg muscle up,” he revealed.  “I wouldn’t say I’m 100% on the leg muscle being equal (to his left),” he added. “But I’m really close.”

He says they are near “10, 15% off one leg to the other.” Although, he specified that he was feeling no pain while walking. And he was sure that he could finish on that leg, too. Despite the long eight-month-long break, Watson was confident of his skills. And the reason was his practice sessions with his caddie and wife. With confidence, Watson said, “I just beat my caddie and my wife. So I got that going for me.”

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However, in all seriousness, he predicted that “there’s going be a few swings here and there where (he) just kind of revert back to old thoughts.” Watson believes returning to golf after the break will be similar to learning how to swing or hit again. “Now it’s all on me,” he added. 

Bubba Watson is not entirely sure whether he can play his 100% at the upcoming events of 2023. However, as a golfer who has years of experience, he is confident to face every difficulty.

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Are you excited about watching Watson back in the field? What are your expectations of him?