Watson bemoans bad putting
Bubba Watson carded a poor three-over-par 75 to leave the initial stages of his Masters title defence in a precarious position on Thursday.
Watson, who endured four bogeys and managed only a solitary birdie in a 35-putt round, lamented his worst score in five outings at Augusta.
“There’s going to be bad days and good days.” conceded Watson. “I hit the ball really well. I can’t complain about my ball-striking. I just didn’t putt well. I never got the speed right, never got the ball to the hole.
“They were slower than what I was expecting. The balls weren’t rolling out like they normally do over the past years, so I just left a lot of putts short, a lot of putts were breaking different than I was expecting.
“I didn’t feel any more pressure to myself. I just didn’t get the speed right on the greens. If I two-putt all those, I shoot one-under, which would be a nice score.”
Thursday’s performance was a far cry from Watson’s first major championship win in 2012, when he staved off Peter Hanson and – later – Louis Oosthuizen to clinch Masters glory.
Latest
-
NewsSteve Stricker must blend experience with raw rookie talent in bid for Ryder Cup
Stricker will soon discover if having eight of the top 10 can see his US side regain the trophy in his home state of Wisconsin.
-
Ryder CupEurope Ryder Cup build-up: The best quotes and social from Whistling Straits
A look at what the European players are saying – on the course and off – ahead of the start of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
-
Ryder CupRyder Cup reality: Get a fast start or pray for a miracle
Recent history tells us that the team that leads at the end of day one will complete victory unless something sensational happens.
-
Ryder CupRyder Cup: Can Bryson DeChambeau be a team player at Whistling Straits?
Golf’s biggest hitter has plenty to prove when he goes into battle against the Europeans in Wisconsin this week.
-
NewsSteve Stricker latest US captain trying to contain European talisman Ian Poulter
The Englishman has been given a wild card by captain Padraig Harrington for this week’s contest at Whistling Straits.
-
NewsEurope players go on charm offensive with ‘cheeseheads’ to appel to local fans
The visitors tried to endear themselves to supporters from Wisconsin by wearing the hats associated with the Green Bay Packers.
-
NewsI’ll get a tattoo if we win the Ryder Cup, says Padraig Harrington
The Irishman will captain Europe at Whistling Straits this week.
-
NewsIan Poulter demands ‘extra special’ effort from Europe to upset Ryder Cup odds
The United States are firm favourites to make it seven wins in the last eight contests for the home side.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood ready to forge new partnership after ‘Moliwood’ success in Paris
The English-Italian pairing won four points together over the first two days in Paris three years ago.
-
NewsTeam USA captain Steve Stricker tells fans not to ‘cross the line’ at Ryder Cup
Europe’s Rory McIlroy had to ask for a man to be removed for being abusive the last time the contest took place in America.