Professional Golf And The Bibleಮಾದರಿ

“The Bible Helps Bubba Watson Keep Perspective After Major Victories”

2012 & 2014 Masters Tournaments: Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia)

Ever since Bubba Watson joined the PGA Tour in 2006, he has quickly become known for his magnanimous personality, his unique sense of style, and his unconventional approach to the game.

Watson has also helped set the tone as one of golf’s more prominent social media communicators. He is particularly fond of Twitter and has sent out thousands of inspirational and insightful messages to his sizeable following.

Such was the case the morning of Watson’s final round at the 2011 Masters.

“No matter what happens today!! Good or Bad------,” he tweeted before quoting a New Testament verse:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Things didn’t go well for Watson. He shot six strokes over par and fell from ninth place into a tie for 38th. Staying consistent with his positive attitude, he tweeted that evening about learning from the experience while consoling other golfers who struggled and congratulating the winner.

Earlier in his career, Watson might not have responded the same way. In an interview with CBN, he admitted that his temper would have previously caused flare-ups on the course and his volatile emotions would have kept him from seeing the good in the bad.

“I would get so frustrated, because I have this competitive fire going on the course,” Watson said. "I read my Bible and get key thoughts like ‘don’t worry about this shot you’ve blown off the first tee, you have seventeen more holes to improve, six months to improve.’ The Bible is my mental coach now.”

At the 2012 Masters, Watson once again found himself in final round contention. That Sunday morning, another Bible verse via Twitter indicated that he was ready for anything that might happen.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Watson teed off on the first hole with a three-shot deficit and failed to make up any ground halfway through the course. But then he caught fire with four consecutive birdies and finished in a tie with Louis Oosthuizen. On the second hole of a sudden death playoff, Watson somehow managed to play himself out of a poor shot that had landed deep in a wooded area. While Oosthuizen missed his par putt, Watson was able to make his attempt for the career-defining victory.

Another 22 months passed before Watson won another tournament. Two months after that, he was back at Augusta National for the 2014 Masters. A few days before the tournament, popular sports mentor and pastor Judah Smith of City Church in Seattle, Washington, suggested that Watson read another Bible verse.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)

“As a kid, you dreamed about playing on the PGA Tour,” Smith added. “You dreamed about playing the Masters. You’re doing that. Why don’t you just go ahead and rejoice in the circumstances of your life?”

Watson took that attitude into the major event and, like two years earlier, found himself in position to secure another green jacket (one of the iconic rewards for winning the Masters). Tied with rising star Jordan Spieth, Watson took the lead halfway through the final round and captured the title with a three-stroke advantage over Spieth and Jonas Blixt.

When CBN asked Watson what had inspired those breakthrough moments, his mind drifted back to those New Testament passages.

“There are so many great Bible verses that mean a lot to me,” he said, “and they all have behind them the message ‘Jesus loves me.’”