Jackson Reid
Bubba Watson is a professional golfer from Bagdad, Florida, who turned pro in 2002. He has won the Masters twice, in 2012 and 2014, and has 12 PGA Tour titles to his name. In 2022, Watson joined LIV Golf as a non-playing team captain while he recovered from an injury, with the intention of returning to play in 2023. However, he was relegated from LIV Golf in 2024 after failing to finish in the top 48 of the season standings. Despite this setback, it was expected that Watson would return to playing in 2025, and he has not indicated any plans to retire from golf. In fact, in a 2025 interview, Watson reflected on his career, saying, It’s been an enjoyable ride.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Has Bubba Watson retired from golf? | No, he hasn't retired from golf. |
| Current status | Relegated out of LIV Golf but will likely keep playing. |
| Reason for relegation | Failed to finish in the top 48 of the season standings. |
| 2024 performance | Tied for 42nd at the LIV Golf Chicago event. |
| 2022 performance | Joined LIV Golf but missed a large chunk of the season due to injury. |
| PGA Tour performance | 12 wins, including 2 in 2011. |
| Age | 45 or 46 years old. |
| Career earnings | $43,626,566. |
| Current interests | Golf, family, and music. |
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What You'll Learn
Bubba Watson's 2022 season with LIV Golf
Bubba Watson has not retired from golf. In fact, he joined LIV Golf in 2022 as a non-playing team captain while he recovered from a torn meniscus, with the intention of returning to play in 2023. Watson was the highest-ranked golfer to represent the US at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and has won the Masters twice. He has also released a song with Christian hip hop artist Andy Mineo, appeared in a YouTube video showcasing his prototype golf cart hovercraft, and was added to the list of Great Floridians by Governor Rick Scott in 2013.
Watson has been open about his mental health struggles and has spoken about the importance of his family, including his wife and two adopted children. He has also demonstrated a keen interest in the commercial side of golf, discussing the strategy for his LIV Golf team RangeGoats GC.
Watson has experienced some setbacks in recent years, including a torn meniscus and a bout of poor play that put him in the relegation zone at the end of 2024. However, he has bounced back and now supports LIV Golf's tougher stance on relegation, acknowledging the need for player turnover to appeal to the Official World Golf Ranking and bring new people into the sport.
In 2025, Watson was one of seven LIV golfers to withdraw from a US Open final qualifying site in Rockville, Maryland. Despite this, he remains an active golfer and has expressed his intention to return to playing on the PGA Tour in 2023.
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Bubba Watson's PGA Tour career
Bubba Watson has not retired from golf. However, he resigned from the PGA Tour in 2022, announcing that he would be joining LIV Golf as a non-playing team captain while recovering from a torn meniscus. He intends to return to play in 2023.
Watson's PGA Tour career began in 2006, four years after he turned pro. He played for three years on the Nationwide Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour) and qualified for the PGA Tour in 2005, joining in 2006. He was known for his extremely long hitting, with a drive of 424 yards at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational that year. He also performed well at the 2007 U.S. Open, finishing tied for fifth—his highest finish in the event.
Watson's first PGA Tour victory came in 2010 at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, beating Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank in a playoff. This was the first of his three career victories at the Travelers tournament (2010, 2015, 2018). He also won the Farmers Insurance Open in 2011, finishing one stroke ahead of runner-up Phil Mickelson. The same year, he defeated Webb Simpson at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, claiming his third career PGA Tour title. In 2011, Watson also made controversial comments about the Alstom Open de France on the European Tour, stating that he would not be playing any further events due to security and organizational concerns.
Watson's impressive performances continued, and he earned his fifth career PGA Tour victory at the 2014 Northern Trust Open. He defeated Dustin Johnson by two strokes, elevating him to 14th in the Official World Golf Ranking. That year, he also won the Masters by three shots with a score of 280 (-8). In 2018, Watson qualified for the U.S. team participating in the Ryder Cup. He has also been open about facing mental health challenges throughout his career.
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Bubba Watson's early life and amateur golf career
Bubba Watson, born Gerry Lester Watson Jr. in November 1978, is a professional golfer from Bagdad, Florida. His father, Gerry Sr., gave him a cut-down 9-iron when he was 6 years old, and by age 8, Watson had his first set of golf clubs. His father, a fan of the New York Yankees, noticed his son's athletic abilities and hoped he would play baseball. Watson did play baseball and was "good at it", but he was destined to make his mark in the world of golf.
Watson played golf for Faulkner State Community College in Alabama, where he was a junior college All-American. He then transferred to the University of Georgia, where he played for the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001, helping them win the SEC title in 2000. In 2002, he turned professional and joined the Nationwide Tour, playing until 2005. He finished 21st on the Nationwide Tour's money list in 2005, qualifying for the following year's PGA Tour.
Watson's golf career has been marked by both successes and struggles. He has won multiple PGA Tour events, including the Farmers Insurance Open in 2011, and has achieved impressive finishes in various tournaments. However, he has also faced challenges, such as missing the cut at the Memorial Tournament and the U.S. Open. Watson has also been open about his mental health struggles, including ADHD and anxiety, and has encouraged others to speak up about their own experiences.
Watson has explored ventures beyond professional golf, including a clothing line called "Bubba Golf" and musical pursuits as a member of the Golf Boys, a boy band comprising fellow golfers Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler, and Hunter Mahan. He has also embraced the commercial side of his career, focusing on growing the RangeGoats GC brand and the game of golf in general.
Watson's amateur golf career laid the foundation for his professional success, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the sport, even as he recovers from an injury with the intention of returning to the game in 2023.
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Bubba Watson's business interests outside of golf
Bubba Watson has a range of business interests outside of golf. He has a clothing line called "Bubba Golf", which was previously sold at Steve & Barry's. He also has a stake in Linksoul, a California-based lifestyle clothing maker that hosts community events and raises money for charity.
In addition to his interests in the clothing industry, Watson has a diverse business portfolio. This includes a candy shop called Bubba's Sweet Spot in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida. He also has a range of investments in real estate, such as an apartment complex that he built and sold, and part ownership of a Double-A minor league baseball team, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Furthermore, Watson owns a car dealership, Sandy & Bubba's Milton Chevrolet, and a driving range, the Pensacola Golf Center.
Watson has demonstrated his business acumen in his role as a non-playing team captain for LIV Golf, where he formulated the commercial strategy for his team, RangeGoats GC. He also has a stake in a golf team, which he has renamed the RangeGoats GC. Watson's entrepreneurial spirit and business success extend far beyond the golf course, showcasing his versatility and dedication to giving back to the community.
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Bubba Watson's mental health struggles
Bubba Watson has not retired from golf. In 2022, he joined LIV Golf as a non-playing team captain while he recovered from a torn meniscus, intending to return to play in 2023.
In 2021, Watson opened up about his mental health struggles, including dealing with ADHD and anxiety. In an interview, he spoke about the hurtful and negative comments he received on social media, which took a toll on his mental health. Watson also acknowledged the importance of accepting his emotions and being vulnerable, stating that he is a man with issues like everyone else.
Watson's caddie, Ted Scott, has defended him against criticism, suggesting that people should get to know Watson's character beyond his brief television appearances. Fellow golfer Aaron Baddeley also shared a similar sentiment, praising Watson's kindness and support during a difficult moment in his own career.
In 2024, Watson published a memoir, "Up and Down," in which he candidly discussed his mental health struggles and how his life changed after speaking about them. He revealed that he experienced severe anxiety, which led to significant weight loss and internal turmoil. Watson's anxiety was exacerbated by witnessing his father's battle with cancer, which ultimately led to his death in 2010.
Through his book and public appearances, Watson aims to shine a light on mental health and help others going through similar struggles. He embraces the importance of openness and vulnerability, using his platform to initiate conversations about mental health and break down the stigma surrounding it.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Bubba Watson has not retired from golf.
Bubba Watson is the non-playing captain of LIV Golf's RangeGoats team. He joined LIV Golf in 2022 but missed much of the 2022 season due to a torn meniscus. He intends to return to playing golf in 2023.
Bubba Watson is a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, including two Masters victories in 2012 and 2014. He also represented the University of Georgia, helping the Bulldogs win the Southeastern Conference title in 2000.
Bubba Watson is famous for his involvement in "Golf Boys," a boy band consisting of fellow golfers Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler, and Hunter Mahan. Their single "Oh Oh Oh" can be found on YouTube.
Bubba Watson played golf for Faulkner State Community College and later represented the University of Georgia. He turned professional in 2002 and joined the Nationwide Tour, eventually qualifying for the PGA Tour. He is known for his extremely long hitting, with his longest drive in professional competition reaching 424 yards.
