Good Ol' Southern Boy Bubba Watson Hits The Masters Big Time - Why Me?

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For the second time in three years, Bubba Watson, the thirty-five year old from Florida, has won The Masters, making him the fastest golfer to win two green jackets. His score of three-under-par 69 put him on top of twenty-year-old phenom Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt, who tied for second after a close race for most of the tournament. Watson’s triumphant victory has earned him the praise of many celebrities and golf fans, as you can see in these Tweets compiled by ViralHeat.

What a superb performance @bubbawatson. Happy to see you to you win your second Green Jacket at a tournament that we all love @The_Masters.
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) April 14, 2014

What are you gonna do with 2 Green Jackets, @bubbawatson??? Congrats Bubba!!! :D
— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) April 14, 2014

.@bubbawatson What a great player you have turned out to be but also, what a great guy! Congratulations on another fantastic Masters win.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2014

            Despite his win, it wasn’t a perfect game for Bubba Watson, with many of his shots being called questionable. 

His first birdie putt missed the mark on the second hole, putting Spieth in the lead, but they were tied when Spieth also pissed his birdie putt on the eighth hole. By the 13th hole, Spieth was tied with Blixt for second, with Watson leading the group three-up with another four to play. However, on the 15th it looked like it might be over for Watson as his ball landed dangerously close to the water. But the 16th, 17th, and 18th all went off without a hitch and Watson emerged the victor. 

After his final putt, Watson’s 2-year-old son Caleb rushed onto the green for a Kodak moment you couldn’t plan if you wanted to.

            After his professional debut in 2003, Watson was a largely overlooked player during the late 00’s with his highest finish in that period being a 5th place slot at the 2007 U.S. Open, his first professional championship tournament. However, with the new decade came a renewed game and his first PGA Tour win at the 2010 Travelers Championship. That same year he came in second at the PGA Championship. He progressively improved in 2011 with second and third PGA Tour wins at the Farmers Insurance Open and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

It was 2012 that proved to be Watson’s year. The golfer, who boasts to have never taken a golf lesson, dramatically improved his game, jumping from 38th in the Masters in 2011 to the winner in 2012. In fact, his two Masters wins are the only two wins Watson has out of his twenty-five total entries in the big four golf championships. He himself cannot believe his own success telling the L.A. Times, “Why me? Why Bubba Watson from Bagdad, Florida? Why is he winning? So I just always ask the question, why, why me?"

            It’s a triumphant moment for a golfer who has played most of his career in the shadow of Tiger Woods. He’s a sort of anti-Woods in fact, when it comes to public persona. His down home, Southern family man personality is a stark contrast to Woods’ flashy lifestyle. Despite the enormous boost to his profile, and bank account, that these recent wins have brought him, he’s still stayed true to his roots through this sudden success. In fact, to celebrate his 2012 win, he bought the original General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard and restored it. It would appear that even after all this success, Bubba Watson is still just a good ‘ol Southern boy.