On Sunday afternoon at Augusta, pink became the new green.
Bubba Watson, one of the most popular players on tour, earned his first career major in a big, big way by defeating Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff thanks to an unforgettable shot on No. 10.
After the two players both parred 18 during the first playoff hole, a pair of wayward tee shots at 10 left the tournament up in the air for both. Oosthuizen did all he could to reach the green, but he fell short.
Watson’s signature pink driver led him astray off the tee box, and he found himself in the woods to the right of the fairway looking at a nearly impossible second shot. Watson, however, showed why he’s one of the game’s best shot-shapers, as the left-hander actually played a hook with his wedge to get out of a small opening in the trees.
The result was an unbelievable shot that landed on the green and gave Watson a shot at birdie. He missed the birdie putt, but with Oosthuizen already in with a bogey-five, all Watson had to do was tap it in and the green jacket was his.
“I had no idea where he was,” Oosthuizen said. “Where I stood from, when the ball came out, it looked like a curve ball. Unbelievable shot. That shot he hit definitely won him the tournament.”
Watson, on the other hand, wasn’t as impressed with himself.
“Hooked it about 40 yards, hit about 15 feet off the ground until it got under the tree and then started rising,” he said. “Pretty easy.”
Yeah, pretty easy. This is coming from a player who taught himself the game and doesn’t use a swing coach, a pair of tidbits the weekend hacker can only appreciate more.
The shot was incredible and it will be played on Masters highlight reels as long as the tournament is in existence. In fact, it will be right up there with the best shots in the history of the tournament.
Watson earned a spot alongside Tiger Woods‘ chip-in at 16 in 2005, Larry Mize‘s chip-in at 11 during a playoff in ’87 and even Oosthuizen’s double-eagle at No. 2 as the best, most unforgettable shots in the history of the storied tournament.
Photo of the Day
This isn’t quite Cigar Guy, but what a fantastic screen grab.
Screen shot via @bubbaprog
Quote of the Day
“This is a work in progress. We’re three days in after losing our closer, and we’re still trying to figure it out.”
–Bobby Valentine and the Red Sox are left looking for answers after a disastrous first series in Detroit.
Tweet of the Day
I question whether or not you could handle that, sir. But Happy Easter to you, too.
I would love to hang out with #KevinGarnett for one night. Dude is a complete bad ass. #Celtics look awesome. #Happy #Easter @NESN
— Seton Murphy (@RunningWaves2) April 8, 2012
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Video of the Day
Truly inspiring. An American hero.
