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Bubba Watson’s resurgence continues at the Travelers

By Kyle Walton

CROMWELL, CT - JUNE 24: Bubba Watson of the United States plays his shot from the 18th tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2018 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
CROMWELL, CT - JUNE 24: Bubba Watson of the United States plays his shot from the 18th tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2018 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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For the third time this season Bubba Watson is a winner on the PGA Tour as he continues to ascend back up the FedEx Cup and World Golf Rankings.

In 2014 Bubba Watson amassed his best season to date throughout his 15 year pro golf career. During that span, Watson won three events including his second green jacket at the historic Masters Tournament. Since then the former Georgia Bulldog carded only two wins in over three years.

Prior to 2018, Watson’s last win came in February 2016 at the Northern Trust Open. Two years later the Northern Trust Open evolved to the Genesis Open and once again Watson found himself on top of the leaderboard. His two-stroke victory over Tony Finau and Kevin Na was the spark to what has become a roaring resurgence.

A ninth-place finish at the WGC Mexico Championship left Watson primed heading into the month before the 2018 Masters. With just two weeks to go before Augusta, he once again came out on top at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play event. Watson’s final round dominance over Kevin Kisner left him with all the confidence heading back to Georgia.

An opening round of 1-over at the Masters was followed by three straight rounds of 3-under or better. Despite his patience and poise, Watson fell just short finishing tied for fifth as Patrick Reed went on to win his first green jacket. Watson’s shortcomings caused a brief stumble over the coming month of play.

Following lackluster appearances at the Players Championship and Memorial Tournament, Watson failed to make the cut at the 2018 U.S. Open. While he certainly wasn’t alone as a big name to miss the cut at Shinnecock Hills the pressure of winning once again didn’t seem to phase Watson. Just one week after missing the cut and carding an 11-over par in just two rounds the two-time major champion recorded his 14th professional victory.

In 2010 Watson’s first PGA Tour victory came at the Travelers Championship and this past weekend he would turn back the clock for his third Travelers victory. Entering Sunday, Watson found himself tied for sixth and six strokes behind leader Paul Casey. With a 3-under on the front nine followed by five more birdies over the closing nine holes, Watson closed with a three-stroke lead and his third victory of this season.

Next: Brooks Koepka personifies new breed of PGA player

As the first three-time winner on tour this season, the rest of the PGA Tour will have to step up their own games over the closing stretch of the season. The surging southpaw already has one of the most decorated resumes currently on tour. A season-ending FedEx Cup victory and the $10 million bonus that comes along with it would be a nice addition to Watson’s trophy case.

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