It was 2010. Bubba Watson was in Wales for the Ryder Cup. At Celtic Manor Resort, the Europeans already had a three-point advantage leading up to the final round, which was pushed to Monday due to weather delay. Americans, despite a late charge, failed to save the campaign. Watson & Co. left empty-handed as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Rory McIlroy stomped the greens. 

Watson netted only one point for his team, squandering three, including a singles loss against Miguel Angel Jimenez. On top of it, Watson and his playing mate Jeff Overton’s raucous celebration after a hole-out was silenced by Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez in the fourballs. You would think Watson might want to wipe that memory clean. But the RangeGoats captain has kept a memento.

You see, 2010 was not just any other Ryder Cup for Gerry Watson. Son, Bubba, was making his debut. So, Gerry, despite being on life support, kept his eyes glued to the TV. Watson’s family members weren’t sure whether he would survive. 

So, Watson has his Ryder Cup mementos on display at his Pensacola home. While giving a tour of his home, Bubba Watson shared in a chat with Travis Miller of PGA Memes, “He passed away nine days after the Ryder Cup 2010 in Wales. They were keeping him alive, hydrating him, so he could watch me.”

Watson got to spend a few days with him after the Ryder Cup. Gerry Watson died on October 10. “My dad got to see me win and play for the USA in the Ryder Cup!!!! Gods (sic!) plan is always right! Golf gave my family my best year & worst year!” the two-time major champion tweeted at that time.

Watson broke down while talking about his father after his first PGA Tour win at the 2010 Travelers Championship. Gerry was an army veteran who served in Vietnam. Watson has time and again thanked his father for making him who he is. His father wanted him to play baseball. But Watson chose golf.

How golf helped Bubba Watson bond with his father

Gerry Watson was at first reluctant to take his son golfing. At his wife’s prodding, the army veteran took Watson for a weekend round. Bubba Watson was just six. He later recounted that the head pro was a left-handed golfer as well. For the six-year-old, though, it was more about family time than improving ball-striking. “I just kept hitting balls, and, for me, at that age, it was just about family; spending time with my dad.”

So, golf became a way for Watson to connect with his father. At college, however, he had to make a choice. Either become a baseball player or become a golfer. Watson made his pick; his dad was upset. Nevertheless, Gerry never pushed his son to another path.

It’s little wonder that the 2010 Ryder Cup, despite the results, the backlash, and the heartbreak, was very special. Watson explained in the PGA Memes interview, “We lost, but that was my memory. My family’s memory. That was his last event that he watched me play. So Ryder Cup means so much to me.” Gerry Watson died of throat cancer in 2010.