Bubba Watson's dad didn't want him to be a golfer growing up
Like most other kids growing up, Bubba Watson didn't play just one sport. In addition to golf, he also played baseball. He carried both games into his high school days before ultimately facing a decision: golf or baseball?
Watson obviously elected to continue with the former, making what has undoubtedly been the right choice. His dad, however, had different ideas. He wanted his son to play baseball.
"Dad's favorite team was the Yankees," Watson said via the Irish Times. "It wasn't anything bad about golf as a sport, he just had a dream that I would play baseball -- and I played it; I was good at it. At high school, my dad said I had to choose: baseball or golf. I chose golf. He was a little upset at first but he got used to the idea -- and it worked out."
It's pretty safe to say that now, given his two Masters victories and nine wins on the PGA Tour, golf was the right choice. That's not to say his dad was completely against Watson playing golf, seeing as he was a golfer himself. But he certainly wanted his son to be a baseball player, and he told Watson's mom that, too.
"My dad played weekend golf. When I turned six, my mom said: 'Hey, if you are going to go, you have to go with your son and spend time with your son.' Dad said 'I don't want him to be a golfer. I want him to play baseball.' My dad lost that one and I had to go."
Watson is chasing his third green jacket this week at a Augusta. If he accomplishes the feat, he'll continue to grow his legacy as one of the best in the game today.
