Legacy is what defines a sportsperson’s influence on the sport. What happens when you leave the sport? Will you be remembered fondly or will you be chastised for not doing things the way it was meant to be? Well, LIV Golf pro and two-time Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson seemed to what his legacy should be. And it shouldn’t be just as a golfer.
Talking to Sean Zak for GOLF.com, Bubba Watson stated that he was on a mission. Just for him and his family. “I am at a low point because I want to win and I want to prove to myself. I am not worried about proving to others. Proving to my son, hard work pays off. Proving to my daughter,” the two-time Major winner said.
It echoes a lot with what Tiger Woods had explained in 2017. His kids would likely see him as a golf influencer rather than a golf superstar because his prime years were before they were born. In fact, barring the 2019 Masters victory, the 14 Majors Tiger Woods had won were before his second son, Charlie Woods, was born. “I never thought my kids have understood what I’ve been able to do in the game of golf because they always think I’m the YouTube golfer,” Tiger Woods stated.
Bubba Watson on what his legacy should mean
However, Bubba Watson disagrees with the golfing great with some caveats. If at the end of his career, his kids remember him only as a golfer, then he has not done them any justice. According to Watson, “If on my deathbed, my kids have to say two-time Masters champion first, then I am a terrible dad. I don’t want them to say anything about my career.”
He wants to be able to extend his sphere of influence beyond what he is right now, i.e. a golfer. Watson feels that labeling him solely as a golfer would put a shackle on what he could explore potentially outside of golf. “Yes, I am a golfer. If you keep calling me a golfer, then you are limiting what Bubba Watson is,” Watson mentioned candidly.
Bubba Watson delves into what he’s learned at LIV, Masters regret, parenting and why the phrase “grow the game” really bothers him.https://t.co/ku36VnQNUP
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) March 28, 2025
Bubba Watson also founded the Bubba Watson Foundation with the aim of improving the everyday lives of children, young adults, and people associated with the U.S. Military. At the Indonesian Masters last November, the 46-year-old made a hole-in-one which led to one family receiving a home as part of the donation from Habitat Humanity Indonesia. Watson has surely touched the lives of many.
“I want them to know me as who Bubba Watson is as a person,” stated the LIV Golf pro. His status as a golfer is not the only thing that Watson disagreed with Tiger Woods.
Bubba Watson puts Scheffler’s achievement over Woods
In the interview, while talking about his former caddy of 15 years, Ted Scott, Bubba Watson, made a claim that was surprising and drew severe criticism on social media from golfing fans. Ted Scott is currently caddying for the World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Watson stated, “I know Tiger did some stuff in 2000 but Scottie’s year (2024) was the best we’ve ever seen.”
Both are heavily dominant seasons that were far ahead of the rest of the competition. Woods clinched three majors and finished top 25 in all of his 20 starts during the season. Scheffler, on the other hand, clinched the Masters, won the Olympic Gold, and even claimed victory at the Tour Championship. Watson’s comments have stirred a debate online, with several fans criticizing him for comparing Woods’ superior season to Scheffler’s.
What do you think of Bubba Watson’s thoughts? Do you think that sportspeople should regularly aspire to transcend the sport they play and extend their arm of influence across various fields?
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