Bubba Watson's 35-foot putt came up 29 feet short
RIO DE JANEIRO — With one putt, Bubba Watson won the gold medal Saturday at the Olympic Golf Course.
For comedy.
“It was hilarious. What can you do?” Watson said following his third-round 67 that moved him into contention for a medal in the men’s golf tournament. “It was one of those freak things you have to laugh off and keep going. … That will be talked about for years.”
Well, he talked about it for more than an hour after his round, the putt seen round the world that had people puzzled and laughing at the same time. Facing a 35-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 14th hole, Watson studied the putt from all angles, took his practice strokes and stepped in to hit the ball.
And then he hit the ball 6 feet. Yes, 6 feet.
He missed the next and made bogey.
The Watson of old may have broken the putter in two but the oddity of it all stunned him and then made him laugh. You see, as he took the putter back, a clump of mud the size of a quarter fell from the bottom of his putter directly behind the ball. At first he thought the mud was a bee or some sort of insect. He tried to stop his stroke but it was too late and basically stubbed it.
“You could see me recoil, trying to stop, because I didn't know what it was,” Watson said. “I looked down and I was like, that's mud, where did it come from, or dirt, whatever you want to call it. Mud putter.
“ … And then we laughed about it because I was like, man, I'm going to be famous now. I'm going to be a legend in Olympic history, in Olympic golf history, I guess.”
Laughing it off was easier seeing as Watson’s been having ball since he landed in Rio. He moved out of his condo and into the Olympic Village so he could spent time with other athletes. He’s gone to numerous events and said he was going to hang out in the cafeteria and then go to badminton Saturday night.
As Watson said, he’s like a kid in Bubba’s Sweet Spot, his candy store in Pensacola, Fla.
“This is a dream of a lifetime,” he said. “I'm hanging with the athletes. I mean, golf just gets in my way. I want to go watch the other sports. I'm going to watch some badminton tonight. Go hang in the cafeteria and try to meet other athletes and feel like I'm a superstar like them.
“ … I'm giddy when I see other athletes that I know, like Michael Phelps. What a thrill and an honor. … When you see these people winning gold medals and their dedication, their drive and their focus, I mean, it's impressive.”
As for his chances at winning a medal — he’s six back of first place — Watson won’t worry about that until the back nine on Sunday. That’s when he’ll really bear down and focus on the task at hand.
“I haven't even been wanting to look at a leaderboard. I don't know how to put it into words; I really don't care,” he said. “I'm out here enjoying it, being so blessed that we get to play in the Olympics. I'm an athlete for the first time.
“ … Anybody that gets down on themselves for how they competed or what their score is, when they look in the mirror, it's a special time in all of our lives being able to play golf in the Olympics.”
BEST IMAGES FROM AUG. 13 AT THE OLYMPICS