With zero victories on the PGA Tour in 2017, there were some people who thought we had seen the best of Bubba Watson. A two-time Majors winner and winner of nine PGA events since his rookie season of 2006, Watson himself even admitted his golf and health struggles, especially last season, had forced him to seriously consider retirement. He added that he and his wife had conversations about the “R” word and he gave thoughts to spending more time overseeing his candy store, a car dealership and the minor league baseball team he owns. So much for retirement planning, huh?

On Sunday, February 18, almost exactly two years to the date of his last win, Watson for the third time in his career won the Genesis Open (formerly the Northern Trust Open), reigniting his career and giving his game relevance as the 2018 season gets a full head of steam towards the four Majors this year.

As one of the game’s more entertaining players, a win by Watson is great for the sport. Let’s take a look at six stats you may not know about Watson.

1. With his victory at the Genesis Open, Watson has now won 10 PGA events. He becomes the 115th golfer to amass double-digit wins in the tour’s history. Of the 115 players on this list, Watson is the sixth youngest (Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia are the five players younger than Watson on this list).
2. Watson has a pair of Masters’ wins to his credit, winning in 2012 and 2014. With 10 PGA Tour wins and a pair of major victories, Watson is one of only 49 players to have 10 PGA wins and two majorsto his credit.
3. A left-hander, Watson became only the second lefty to win 10 or more PGA events. Topping this list is Phil Mickelson with 42 PGA Tour wins. After Watson on the list are #Mike Weir (eight wins), Bob Charles (six wins) and Steve Flesch (four wins).
4. Mickelson tops the list with five Majors wins by a lefty followed by Watson’s two wins. In addition, lefty Mike Weir won the 2003 Masters and fellow southpaw Bob Charles won the 1963 British Open.
5. Keeping with his recent pattern of winning the Northern Trust Open, now the Genesis Open, on even-numbered years, Watson became a three-time winner of the event, having won also in 2014 and 2016. He became the fifth golfer to win the event three times joining Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Lloyd Mangrum and Macdonald Smith.
6. Watson has played in 40 majors events on the tour, winning two Masters. He finished second in the 2010 PGA Championship and had a tie for fifth finish at the 2007 U.S. Open… giving him four Top-10 finishes in majors he has played. He has missed the cut in 15 of the 40 events.

Welcome back, Bubba!

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