WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The Greenbrier billboard on Interstate 64 features the smiling faces of Jerry West and Bubba Watson and heralds “Live where the legends live.”
Watson can’t fathom how he belongs in such rarified company.
“You’re talking about ‘The Logo,’ you’re talking about Jerry West, you’re talking about a legend in his sport … and then there’s me,” Watson said Tuesday. “Basically, it’s like I won the Lotto and they put my picture up there.”
His modesty noted, Watson is the leading money winner on the PGA Tour in 2014 and recently captured his second Masters green jacket. So he certainly has won more than a mere scratch-off ticket.
He moved into a freshly constructed home at the Greenbrier just last month, one that was being planned during last year’s Classic when Watson shot 5-under but finished in a tie for 30th. At the time he and his wife were scouting spots for a mountain-style cottage, and the lush West Virginia landscape made a perfect impression.
Watson’s razzing-laced friendship with resort owner Jim Justice has only blossomed since then.
“Even if I didn’t have a house here, it would be great to win here,” he said. “Then I can rub it in Jim’s face when I see him.”
Along with his championship showing in Augusta, Watson has enjoyed a stellar season—winning the Northern Trust Open, taking second at the Phoenix Open and more recently placing third at the Memorial. If he can boost his No. 3 world ranking and challenge for a title on The Old White TPC, it would make for quite a housewarming gift.
“I played it probably five times in the last two weeks, so I’ve been able to see it and familiarize myself with it,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean when the pressure’s on that I’ll play good.”
It could mean that he’ll become an even more pronounced favorite of the local galleries, though Watson stopped short of proclaiming himself “a true West Virginian” on Tuesday.
“I’m not sure, but I like it so far,” he said. “Hopefully, everybody else likes me.”