The Loop

Bubba Watson meets one of his harshest critics -- and thanks him

August 09, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- On the day after, Bubba Watson thanked all the critics of his whining-in-the-rain, profanity-punctuated behavior during Friday's second round of the PGA Championship.

"I need to be held accountable," he said following a third-round 73 that left him at two-over-par 215. "The Bible says you don't act that way, and I did." So he thanked "all the people on Twitter, all my supporters, and the media. I love it. I'm glad people called me out."

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That seemed the proper moment to introduce myself; in Bubba's years, I have been just another face in the press corps. If he wished to toss me into a trash can -- as a pro football player once threatened to do -- this was his chance.

"Speaking of the media," I said, "I want to tell you I was very hard on you."

"Good," he said.

"Relentless," I said.

"Perfect," he said, and he said it with a smile.

"I may have used too much club, could've gone with a 3-wood," I said.

"No, all good," he said.

Later, Watson posted this tweet:

Thanks to everyone for holding me accountable for my actions, it's helping me to get better!! #Thanks #Blessed

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) August 9, 2014