Profiles in Time: Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson – Our Hometown Golf Legend

Spring has officially sprung, which means it’s time for annual warm weather sporting traditions. We’re gearing up for the commencement of golf’s four major championships. The 2019 Masters tournament kicks it all off in our home state of Georgia on April 11^th. We may be a little partial when it comes to hometown pride. So, we’re especially looking forward to seeing the University of Georgia (UGA) alum Bubba Watson at this year’s event. Watson is a two-time Masters winner. He’s currently the seventeenth ranked golfer in the world. We think that’s pretty impressive for a guy in his eighteenth year of professional play.

However, what makes Watson even more interesting to us is his watch collection. He’s one of few golfers who elects to wear his watch both on and off the green. We have to admit, at times, we’ve gotten a little distracted from play by what’s on his wrist. Watson’s love of a fine timepiece has landed him as an ambassador to one particular brand. Spoiler: it’s not what you’d expect from a player in such a conservative sport.

Drawn to Golf from the Start

Watson was born to be a golfer. Instead of playing with typical toys like trucks, his parents would find him with a ball and a club. So, his dad took him to a golf course for the first time when he was just six years old. It was immediately clear he had a natural talent. Watson never took formal lessons but continued to play through high school and college. In 2000, he helped lead his team at UGA to win the Southeastern Conference title.

A year later, Watson went pro on the Nationwide Tour. It took him a few years to gain his footing, but by 2004, he had caught his stride. He finished that season with two second place finishes and things continued to look up the following year.

Highlights of Watson’s Greatest Achievements

In 2006, he advanced to the PGA Tour. In his first season with the PGA he notched a third place finish at the Chrysler Classic in Tucson. However, it wouldn’t be until several years later in 2010 that he would start to become a powerhouse in the game. That spring, he won the Travelers Championship in Connecticut. Then, later that fall, he got to play for team USA in the illustrious, biannual Ryder Cup. The golf world wasn’t the only one to take notice. In 2010, watchmaker Richard Mille tapped Watson to join their ranks of ambassadors.

Watson’s momentum continued in 2011 with two more PGA championship wins. He scored his first at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, then at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Still, it wasn’t until 2012 that he would finally notch his first major win at none other than the Masters. His victory was a hard fought battle in a sudden death playoff, and he emerged the champion. His winning streak continued in 2014 when he received his second Masters title. He did so in a span of just three years, which put him in the ranks of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Jack Nicklaus.

Watson’s Custom Richard Mille Timepieces

During each of Watson’s professional victories, Richard Mille has been there. The brand took note that athletes tend to remove their watches during play. So, they wanted to do something different with their sport ambassadors, like Watson. They custom designed the RM 038 Bubba Watson Tourbillon Victory Watch. He wore that very model during both of his Masters’ wins. However, this wasn’t the only model specifically developed for the player. Richard Mille created two more variations, the RM 055 and the RM 38-01 Tourbillon G-Sensor. With each iteration, the brand has crafted designs that are increasingly resistant to the forces Watson encounters on the green. His latest model, the RM 38-01, combines a G-sensor with a tourbillon mechanism. This unique configuration allows him to record the force of his swing.

Since his monumental Masters performances, Watson has yet to win another major, but his passion for the sport remains. This year, we’ll see him fight for another victory at the upcoming event in Augusta. Be sure to keep an eye on his wrist. See if you can spot which Richard Mille model he wows us with at this year’s tournament!