Bubba Watson- First Overlooked, Second Time Denied But Now The Fifth USA Vice-Captain.

Chaska, Minnesota.

First Bubba Watson was overlooked as a USA Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick and then on Sunday night it was Ryan Moore who deservedly was handed the final Hazeltine pick.

But in a strange turnabout Bubba Watson will be part of the USAs Ryder Cup with captain, Davis Love 111 appointing Watson as his fifth and final Vice Captain.

The 37-year-old Watson is a three-time Ryder Cup veteran (2010, ’12, and ’14) while he has also represented the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics and in two Presidents Cups (2011, ’15).

Watson now joins fellow vice captains Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods, each of whom was appointed by Love last year.

“The first time I told Bubba, we’ve overlooked you with these first three, but hang in there, we have another pick coming,” said Love 111.

“And then he offers, if you don’t pick me, I would like to be assistant captain, before he even played the Tour Championship.

Bubba Watson on the first tee of the 2012 Ryder Cup and now in Hazeltine as a fifth USA Vice-Captain.

Bubba Watson on the first tee of the 2012 Ryder Cup and now in Hazeltine as a fifth USA Vice-Captain.

“And then he went out and played a great week of golf, 7-under par, I think. And then I called him and told him that I was going a different direction again, and he immediately said, “I still want to be a part of this team, if you’ll have me.” Incredible gesture.

“When I told the team members and assistant captains that were there last night, we’re still in disbelief. I mean, Bubba’s back there changing from player clothes to assistant captain clothes right now. We have a bag with his name on it already made. We don’t have gifts for him as assistant captain, but it was just an incredible gesture, and I think that shows where our team is.

“We have this “12 Strong” and we have this “We Are 13” slogans, but we’ve got an extra guy now.

“We have a lot of emotion over Arnold Palmer, a lot of emotion over a last-minute pick, but what Bubba did really shows how together the U.S. Team really is. We’re excited to have him. And what does he add? He adds a guy to drive our sixth red golf cart and be supportive.

“He and I have already talked about what he and I can do while the other four captains are watching a match, the strategies that we can do. He adds a lot of fun. He adds a different personality. But he brings a great heart. I think people that don’t know Bubba, he has a great, strong Christian heart. We saw that in Korea last year, and we’re just thrilled to have him on the team. He might could cry a little bit more than me, but I’ll probably out-do him this week.

“But Bubba and I are always in a contest for who gets teared up the most or first. But we’re just thrilled to have him. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”



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