Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

• Bubba Watson still ‘pretty mad’ about Phoenix treatment
• That’s despite his one-shot win at the Northern Trust Open
• “I’m not over it,” the American said afterwards

BUBBA WATSON

Bubba Watson wouldn’t let his treatment by the media at the Waste Management Phoenix Open go away after winning the Northern Trust Open, saying he was still ‘pretty mad’ about what was said about him.

The 37-year-old recorded his ninth PGA Tour win and his second in three years at Riviera, edging out Adam Scott and Jason Kokrak by one shot among a star-studded field in which Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama all contended heading into the final round.

But Watson admitted he was still pretty cut up about Phoenix, where he was booed by fans after saying prior to the tournament that he was only at the event ‘because of his sponsors’, criticising the media for giving him a ‘bad headline’.

CONTINUES BELOW…

Northern Trust Open - Final Round

“I’m not over it,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking that a city or community or local press would put a headline to spur on a bad image. So it’s hurtful.

“I’m pretty mad about it, but I’ve got to get over it. I’ve got to man up and be a better man, and with those comments, I’ve got to figure out how to answer things better.”

How Bubba won it

Nestled in among a hefty pack, Bubba broke free with back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, which could only be replicated by Aussie Adam Scott on the 17th and 18th holes, but he was recovering from consecutive bogeys on the 14th and 15th.

What they said

Bubba Watson: “I just kept going. I looked at the leaderboard and I saw nobody was running away from it, so I knew that I still had a shot if I could make some good swing and some good putts down the stretch, and somehow it worked out.” Adam Scott (T2): “I putted pretty good this week. I feel like it’s all in a really good spot. I’m excited about going into the Florida stretch and then getting to Augusta where I feel the greens are really the kind of grass that I like a lot and feel most comfortable on. I’m excited about what’s coming up.” Dustin Johnson (4): “Today it felt like I played pretty well again. Just didn’t hole any putts. That was the big key. Missed a few short ones. That was really the difference today.”

On social

Final leaderboard

1 Bubba Watson (66, 68, 67, 68) -15 T2 Adam Scott (68, 68, 67, 67) -14 T2 Jason Kokrak (68, 64, 70, 68) -14 4 Dustin Johnson (68, 66, 68, 69) -13 T5 Marc Leishman (68, 66, 68, 69) -12 T5 K.J. Choi (69, 67, 67, 69) -12

Bubba Watson :: Does he get enough credit?

After recording his ninth PGA Tour win, do you think Bubba Watson gets enough credit for his form in recent years? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

topics

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship