Archive of posts tagged Bubba Watson

Poulter at risk of relegation: future uncertain

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Bubba Watson

A registered letter with no return receipt was sent by the new CEO of LIV Golf, Scott O'Neil, to Ian Poulter. No exceptions: either The Postman places in the top 48 of the 2025 rankings or he's out of a permanent spot on the Saudi tour. With two events remaining in the season, Poulter sits in 51st place.

Ian Poulter, news

The former Ryder Cup star is playing the 2026 event in Chicago this weekend and in Indianapolis next weekend. His hopes are slim: in 2025, the Englishman has a best finish of 13th in South Korea. In total, he has earned 4.5 points in the LIV rankings. Chilean Niemann, the dominant player this year, has a remarkable 206.8.

Scott O'Neill has made things clear, trying to regain his virginity and get LIV players back into the world rankings (and thus back into the Majors). This year, his tour will be played solely on merit on the green. No exemptions.

No exceptions like twelve months ago when, for unspecified "commercial reasons," then-boss Greg Norman fished out Bubba Watson. The American professional, captain of the Range Goats team, finished the 2024 season ranked 53rd. The same treatment was reserved for South African Branden Grace.

More than a hundred professionals from around the world are participating in this never-ending playoff, all chasing a contract. Plan B involves winning the International Series, the minor circuit of the Asian Tour: too bad Ian isn't even in the top 100 today.

According to The Telegraph, the Englishman's contract with the PIF expires on August 24th, at the end of the Grand Team Finals in Michigan. If things go badly (or even terribly), the Englishman could be limited to being the manager or non-playing captain of his team, the Majesticks, next year.

The full Majesticks team: Sam Horsfield, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson (Photo by Cliff Hawkins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The Majesticks are not doing well. Also on the team with Poulter are Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood. The Swede is currently 47th in the LIV ranking, while the Englishman is 46th. Both are on the knife's edge.

It's sad to think of the most bitter scenario: three giants of world golf (Westwood was once number one in the ranking) and of the Ryder Cup competing against each other in the Qualifying Schools for a place in the sun.

In this evolving scenario, the DP World Tour is standing by. Poulter, Westwood, and Sergio Garcia left Europe two years ago, slamming the door, complete with written resignations. Henrik Stenson went further: first he accepted the appointment as European Ryder Cup captain, then he moved to the circuit, a sworn enemy of the DP and PGA. That confrontation now seems a long way off, thanks to a struggling European circuit jostling for greater visibility and sponsorship. Three players like Ian, Lee, and Henrik would still be very useful.

Golf veteran Bubba Watson finally seeing results after career-long adjustments

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Bubba

Bubba Watson is doing great things this season and is catching the attention of golf fans. 

Watson currently performs at LIV Golf UK. 

The famous golfer currently holds second place, six strokes behind the leader, Joaquin Niemann, and it is quite clear that he has a difficult task ahead of him. 

There are many who wonder what the recipe for his great form is, and the famous golfer revealed interesting details on the press. 

Watson found Peter Uihlein to be the key to his revival, seeking his putting tips. 

During his career, Bubba had a specific approach, which he decided to change, and it is obvious that he is now reaping the fruits of his labor.

"In my career I usually leave them a little short so they're usually just missing because I like to die the putts, and now it's getting a little bit harder.

Without changing my stroke, it's getting a little bit harder, so more are going in. It's exciting, and I've been calm, working on the mental side of it, and I've been calm out there on the golf course, and it's paying off…"- he said, as quoted by Golf Monthly.

Ted Scott and Bubba Watson

Watson recalled some stages of his career, when together with Ted Scott he had interesting analyses, and the popular caddy had interesting comments when it comes to Bubba's game. 

The seasoned golfer experienced a real revival by changing his approach, and it seems that he is well on his way to dominating the golf scene again.

"We've always joked, Ted Scott (former caddie), when he was with me for 15 years, we always joked if I could hit it about six inches further I'd win more tournaments.

That's what we tried to do. We tried to get a heavier hammer as we call it so the ball rolls a little bit further. It's easier to get the distance. It's been working so far."