DORAL, Fla. – Bubba Watson was unable to catch Bryson deChambeau or Crushers GC in Sunday’s LIV Golf team Championship, but a stellar performance on the final round at Trump Doral Miami showed he still has the game to become a future star of the Saudi-backed League.
Watson’s pink-clad Range Goats team finished nine-under par and two shots behind DeChambeau and the Crushers GC, who won the team championship.
Watson has regained his free-swinging style that helped him win two Masters titles.
After hitting his approach shot within three feet of the hole on his last hole and closing his round with birdie, he threw his hands up in celebration with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.
“I’m excited. Watson said, “I went bogey free on the Blue Monster.” Watson said, “The goal was to help the team and play well golf. I achieved my goal.
What a year! The Range Goats appeared out of nowhere. “We played well and only need to improve a bit.”
Bubba Watson hits his shot at the 8th tee in the final round of LIV Golf Miami, held at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro – USA TODAY Sports
Watson, 44, was in the top group of the day, along with DeChambeau from Crushers GC, Joaquin Niemann from Torque GC, and Dustin Johnson, the reigning 4Aces champion. This grouping attracted the largest crowds of the afternoon.
Watson scored an eagle in No. The Range Goats briefly pulled even with Crushers Golf Club midway through the round of shotgun starts. DeChambeau restored Crushers’ lead and the Range Goats were never closer than one stroke for the remainder of the round.
It was his best performance since he tied for fourth place in the Zurich Classic at New Orleans on the PGA Tour in April 2022 with a 67. This was a season high, surpassing Tulsa’s 10th-place finish from May. Watson shot a 67, which was tied for the fourth-best individual round on Sunday. This is his best performance since he finished tied for 4th at the Zurich Classic New Orleans in April 2022.
In his first year playing for LIV Golf, he was not the best performer.
Watson finished 36th on the LIV points table. Watson was only eight places away from being relegated, but he is not eligible for this fate because he is the team captain.
Watson told the press in a Thursday press conference, “I am our weakest link at this time.” Watson said, “I’ve played some great rounds.” “I’ve had some good rounds.
Talor Gooch (2023 LIV golf individual champion) who played last season for Johnson’s Four Aces has helped his team improve. The Range Goats, without Watson, were one of the worst teams in LIV Golf.
Thomas Pieters was the other new addition to the team. He defected from PGA Tour. Harold Varner III was the only holdover from last season. Harold Varner III improved dramatically and finished seventh in the individual regular season.
Range Goats GC placed third on the money list for 2023 amongst LIV Golf teams and earned $16.75 millions in winnings. Last season, the team played under the name Niblicks and finished last in both points and money.
Watson is happy to have new management opportunities, as LIV’s franchising model offers more options for team captains.
A spectacular send-off on the course will add a new dimension to his off-season sponsorship, marketing, and franchise development efforts for his Range Goats.
Watson said, “Wow, next year is going to be a busy one.” “For me, it is learning. It’s about learning how to be a captain/owner and motivate people, but also practicing golf at the time.
It’s really cool to be a part of a franchise and being able to be a part of the opening of this and being ‘a piece of it.’ It’s cool to be part of a brand and to be a part the opening and being a part of it.
Eric J. Wallace, deputy sports editor at The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
