Golf

US Masters champ Bubba Watson at home in West Virginia

Golfer’s place on Tom Watson’s Ryder Cup team for Gleneagles already secure

Watson finished joint 30th in his first appearance in the Greenbrier Classic last year, but was so impressed by the surroundings that he bought some land on the property in West Virginia and had a house built. Photograph: Robert Galbraith/Reuters
Watson finished joint 30th in his first appearance in the Greenbrier Classic last year, but was so impressed by the surroundings that he bought some land on the property in West Virginia and had a house built. Photograph: Robert Galbraith/Reuters
Thu Jul 03 2014 - 08:43

US Masters champion Bubba Watson will look to make the most of home advantage in the Greenbrier Classic at White Sulphur Springs this week.

Watson finished joint 30th in his first appearance in the tournament last year, but was so impressed by the surroundings that he bought some land on the property in West Virginia and had a house built.

“I’ve been living here for about a month, off and on,” said Watson, who is originally from Bagdad, Florida. “Moved into my house about a month ago, so it’s nice. It’s nice being here, nice being able to sleep in your own bed, it’s pretty cool. I’m excited about the week.”

Watson claimed his second green jacket at Augusta National in April and also won the Northern Trust Open in February, meaning his place on Tom Watson’s Ryder Cup team for Gleneagles is already secure.

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"In the beginning of the season I thought about the Ryder Cup a lot because that's my goal," added Watson, who played in the one-point defeats at Celtic Manor in 2010 and Medinah in 2012. "Every year it's a team event, the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.

‘Ryder Cup’

“Obviously, the history is behind the Ryder Cup. I’ve never won a Ryder Cup so I want to win one, so that means I have to get back on the team. When I won the Masters Tom threw that out there that I was going to make the team so my goal was to be healthy since then.

“I’ve talked to him a few times since then through text messages and he’s asked me some questions. If I bump into him (this week) I’ll definitely talk to him. “Now we’re watching the points and I’ve got friends that I wish could make it. I’ve got my buddy Webb Simpson who we partner up quite well together [they won two of their three matches by 5 and 4 margins at Medinah].”

Simpson and former US PGA champion Keegan Bradley are currently 17th and 18th in the US Ryder Cup standings, but will have the chance to impress Tom Watson directly after being paired with the 64-year-old.

Patrick Reed currently occupies the final automatic qualifying place and will be looking to make amends for last week, when he took a two-shot lead into the final round of the Quicken Loans National but crashed to a closing 77.