Bubba Watson
USA
He might hail from Bagdad but big Bubba Watson is all American. His Bagdad is in Florida and if the 31-year-old wants any Ryder Cup tips he might ask his old school buddy Boo Weekley, who starred in the 2008 event. But Bubba is unlikely to need any help in making himself popular with the crowds because he has natural charisma. Admittedly some snigger at his apparently simplistic approach of hitting the ball as far as he can and looking like a dozy surf dude. But Watson is one of the most naturally talented players on tour and – perhaps crucially – as popular as he will be with the American fans, he is unlikely to make himself unpopular with the European galleries. This will be his professional team debut but he did lead his college team Georgia Bulldogs to victory in the 2000 Southeastern Conference Championship and he did win his first PGA Tour title, this year’s Travelers Championship, in a tense play-off (indeed he defeated his captain Corey Pavin!). On the other hand he also cracked under pressure in the PGA Championship play-off when taking on Germany’s Martin Kaymer in something of a Ryder Cup preliminary.
| CURRENT FORM | ||
| Date | Tournament | Position |
| 5th Sep | Deutsche Bank Championship | 37 |
| 29th Aug | The Barclays | 31 |
| 15th Aug | PGA Championship | 2 |
| 26th Sep | Tour Championship | 17 |
| 12th Sep | BMW Championship | 50 |
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