In the 76th Masters, Bubba Watson overcame a four-stroke deficit in the final 16 holes to force a playoff with his final-round partner Louis Oosthuizen. Watson closed with a four-under-par 68 at the Augusta National Golf Club, one stroke better than his final-round partner, as both men finished at 10-under 278. Watson, 33, made up his four-stroke deficit with four consecutive birdies, beginning at No. 13, which he reportedly couldn’t recall afterward. In the second playoff hole, Watson two-putted from 15 feet for par to secure his first major championship.
Watson told reporters that he dreamed of having a putt to win the Masters. “I just never made the putt. As an athlete, as a golfer, this is the mecca. This is what we strive for — to put on the green jacket,” Watson said. “For me to come out here and win, it’s awesome for a week and then back to real life.” In real life, Watson and his wife, Angie, adopted a baby boy, Caleb. The adoption ended a four-year odyssey filled with false hopes and last minute heartbreak. Watson said that he and his wife were turned down for a baby a day before they received the call about Caleb. When Watson was asked what was going through his mind during the awards ceremony, he said, “What time is my plane taking off to get home?”
