Bubba’s golf game is absurdly good. With 20-year old  phenom Jordan Spieth threatening to pull away from him early in the round, Bubba came up hugely clutch in the most pressure packed day in golf. Jordan sank in from the bunker on the par-3 fourth to look like he took a three-shot lead and dang it if Bubba didn’t come right back and sink an eight foot putt to keep his deficit at two shots. Spieth was -7 and Bubba was -5. Then on the par 3 sixth, Spieth just stiffed it after Bubba had hit a beautiful shot of his own putting it about 17 feet away. It was looking like Jordan, who should be an all time good player if he can stay hungry, was going to take a three shot lead., But Bubba calmly drained his 17 footer, an amazing putt. Jordan, of course, sank his three footer. Then on eight is when the tournament took a turn in Bubba’s favor. Bubba birdied from five feet and Spieth bogeyed to even them up. Then on nine, Bubba birdied from 10 feet and Spieth missed his tricky three foot downhiller for bogey and all of the sudden, Bubba had a two-shot lead. When Spieth hit it in the water on the par-3 12th, Bubba took command, but not without some dramatic “Bubba” golf on 15. Bubba had a seemingly impossible second shot on the par 5 15th in which he would either have to go through some trees to get it on the green in two or just punch it out and play for birdie. The punch out looked like the only play with a three shot lead. Just get it in the fairway and keep your lead. Spieth had already hit it to the right of the green and looked like he was going to have a tough time getting up and down for birdie. But in true Bubba form, he went for the green and, in true Bubba form, executed the shot and was over the green in two making par. This was after a 367 yard drive on the par five 13th in which he had a pitching wedge to the green on a 510 yard hole. Wow. Bubba also sank a key par putt on 17 from 5 feet that pretty much iced it. He had so much confidence on the tight as an eight foot wide alley hole off the tee. He crushed it and locked the tournament up there.

It was vintage Bubba golf. What is so underrated about Bubba’s game because he is such a bomber and risk taker, is his short game. He can really chip and putt. He sank clutch putt after clutch putt. It was beautiful. At 35 years old, Bubba Watson is on the top of the golfing world. I see potential multiple majors– he already has two–for this native of Bagdad, Florida, who played at Faulkner State Community College in Baldwin Country, Alabama, only 30 minutes away from his home. Baldwin County is in south Alabama near Mobile. Then Bubba played at the University of Georgia for two years (2000-01) before setting out on a professional career. He has now won six times on the PGA tour after winning yesterday and winning in February at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera CC in LA. The win at Riviera was his first victory on tour since the 2012 Masters. Amazing how the game can come around if you keep on working at it. Proud for Bubba. Incredibly clutch play yesterday.

Just a word on Jordan Spieth too. I predicted that a veteran would win this, not a rookie in the Masters. I didn’t get the right veteran, but I believed and still do that experience matters at Augusta. I picked Jason Day, but Day’s injury that kept him out of competition for seven weeks hampered him at Augusta National. He finished at +2, 10 shots back of Bubba. I do think Day is going to get a major very soon if he can stay healthy. But Spieth is something else and he almost pulled it off yesterday. He’s got a lot of the iron will characteristics that Eldrick had in his 20’s, but to me he’s so much more likeable. I really like him. He was classy and he said this experience made him even “hungrier” to work harder and finish the job. I really see some greatness out of this young man. Love his game and love his demeanor on the course and his personality off the course. He respects his opponents, respects the game, and respects the media’s job. He didn’t act like it was a hassle to talk to CBS after the round. He could be very special.

While the 2014 Masters is behind us now after another epic event, there is some stellar golf upcoming. Still have the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2 in June, the British Open at Hoylake in England in July and the PGA at Vallhalla in Louisvillem Ky in August. There is the highly exciting Players Championship in May, the “fifth major” according to the players. There are tournaments like the Memorial and even the RBC Heritage this weekend will have a good field. I enjoy every one of them. Golf is so good right now. And we’re just getting started. Epic way to kick off the major season with Gerry Lester “Bubba” Watson donning another green jacket.