elementary, my dear watson
Masters 2024: Bubba Watson’s daughter hits three long putts at Par 3 Contest as Augusta National roars
Dakota & Bubba Watson at Augusta National in 2017 (L) and 2024
The original pitch for this story was “Bubba Watson’s daughter hits two long putts,” but by the time pen hit paper (digitally, of course), little Dakota Watson sunk a third ridiculous putt. The two-time Masters winner may not even be the best Augusta National golfer in his own family by the time you're reading this.
To the delight of Bubba and the Augusta National crowd, young Dakota is now three-for-three on the Masters Tournament Par 3 Contest’s greens. She’s so hot with the putter that it prompted Sean McDonagh to ask the following on the broadcast to partner Curtis Strange: "Have you changed your mind? You said Ben Crenshaw was the best putter you've ever seen. You've never seen Dakota until today.”
No. 1
“You wanna get it?” Bubba asks Dakota to which she, of course, says yes. She even gives the crowd a small timid wave. This one just took a little tap. It’s only going to get crazier from here.
No. 2
No. 2 features a murmuring after the putt and a true Augusta National roar once it drops. “Oh my goodness,” the announcer rightly mutters. Dakota then gets a high-five that looks to hurt just a bit. The Watson family should know better than to injure the hot hand.
No. 3
The third is almost too good to be true as it finds the bottom of the cup while the commentator is discussing how great she’s been on the green: "Dakota Watson who's already holed countless feet of putts today…” And then next thing you know she has done it again. This putt is followed by an equally impressive celebration. We’d love to see Bubba try that handshake out after a long putt of his own over the next few days.
This is really what the Par 3 Contest is all about. Seeing the pros isn’t that important. What matters is witnessing a golfer’s progeny go on the hot streak of all hot streaks. By the way, you might want to wager a few bucks on Bubba if you have a chance. The Watsons clearly have all the momentum.
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