Post by breenda on Aug 7, 2013 2:12:01 GMT
Bubba Watson is one of the game's most creative shot-makers but he may need to conjure up all his magical tricks to have any hope of winning this week's U.S. Open on a course he admits he just does not like.
Few players can drive as far or shape the ball as much as Watson but the Masters champion fears that will not be enough to win Titleist Scotty Cameron Buttonback Putter at the Olympic Club.
According to Watson, any advantages he has off he tee would be negated by the notoriously difficult course that features narrow fairways and firm greens, so he would have to find ways to improvise.
"There's some golf tournaments you hit more fairways, there's some golf tournaments you don't hit many fairways," he told a news conference on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).
"Obviously this week everybody is going to have trouble hitting fairways and out of the rough.
"I think with my length, with my so-called strength I can hit Ping K15 Irons out of the rough that people can't hit as far. If I can just putt.
"If it comes down to putting and chipping. The short game is the key around this course."
One of the few left-handers on the professional circuit, Watson said the course had been set up to be brutally difficult and he doubted the eventual winner would finish under par.
"On every hole, there's something around the corner. Even the shortest hole is tough, and the longest hole is tough," said the American. "There's something on every hole that can get you. It makes it very difficult."
Watson, who was grouped with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson for the first two rounds, confessed that he did like the course, but said a win here could alter his opinion.
"Do I like it? I'll tell you in a few days," he said. "As of right now I don't like it. There's an 80 lurking. After four days of Callaway X-24 Hot Irons if there's not an 80, then I like it all right."
Watson's best finish at the U.S. Open was a tie for fifth in 2007. His goal this year is to try and contend at all the majors but, after winning the Masters, he has had to reassess his aims.
Few players can drive as far or shape the ball as much as Watson but the Masters champion fears that will not be enough to win Titleist Scotty Cameron Buttonback Putter at the Olympic Club.
According to Watson, any advantages he has off he tee would be negated by the notoriously difficult course that features narrow fairways and firm greens, so he would have to find ways to improvise.
"There's some golf tournaments you hit more fairways, there's some golf tournaments you don't hit many fairways," he told a news conference on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).
"Obviously this week everybody is going to have trouble hitting fairways and out of the rough.
"I think with my length, with my so-called strength I can hit Ping K15 Irons out of the rough that people can't hit as far. If I can just putt.
"If it comes down to putting and chipping. The short game is the key around this course."
One of the few left-handers on the professional circuit, Watson said the course had been set up to be brutally difficult and he doubted the eventual winner would finish under par.
"On every hole, there's something around the corner. Even the shortest hole is tough, and the longest hole is tough," said the American. "There's something on every hole that can get you. It makes it very difficult."
Watson, who was grouped with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson for the first two rounds, confessed that he did like the course, but said a win here could alter his opinion.
"Do I like it? I'll tell you in a few days," he said. "As of right now I don't like it. There's an 80 lurking. After four days of Callaway X-24 Hot Irons if there's not an 80, then I like it all right."
Watson's best finish at the U.S. Open was a tie for fifth in 2007. His goal this year is to try and contend at all the majors but, after winning the Masters, he has had to reassess his aims.