Masters champ Bubba Watson real breath of fresh air, says Paul Lawrie

The Aberdonian turned up at Murcar Links yesterday on the second day of the Scottish Boys’ Championship to speak glowingly about the Augusta National winner, having played with Watson in the third round on Saturday as they were both still in contention to land the opening major of the season.

He recalled how he’d looked on in awe as the big-hitting left-hander produced one of the most memorable shots he has ever witnessed and said he had been pleasantly surprised to discover that Watson came across as a much nicer person than he potrayed during last year’s French Open.

There, Watson criticised just about every aspect of playing golf in Europe as well as showing an ignorance towards some of the most famous landmarks in Paris.

“I did not know what he would be like,” said the 1999 Open winner of golf’s newest major champion. “We all heard the stuff he came out with at the French Open last year, so I wasn’t sure how to take him. But we chatted all day and he was really good – he is a good lad.

“There is no doubt he is a huge talent. You have to be some talent to take on some of the shots he does. He is off his feet, he has no balance and he has never had a lesson in his life. He is a breath of fresh air for the game.

“It is unusual not to have had any coaching, but not everyone is the same. I came through the PGA system and I am heavily involved in coaching, so I believe it is better for children to have some tuition to get the fundamentals to put them on the right road.

“But then look at Bubba. No doubt some kids are over-coached, but Bubba shows you can get to the top of the game both ways. I don’t know anyone else who has done it his way. He looks like a one-off, so fair play to him.

“He never hits a straight shot, it is 30-and 40-yard hooks and slices. I think Seve was a bit different in that he was more of a short game man, who could get out of any trouble.”

Recalling the moment when his jaw had dropped playing with Watson, Lawrie added: “Bubba just hits the ball so far. At the par-5 13th, he was taking it up over the trees. I have never seen anyone do that before.

“He was pitching it about 350 yards to the middle of the fairway. I was hitting a nice long draw to end up with a rescue in there, while he was left with an 8 or 9-iron.

“When you have that in your locker, it makes the game a lot easier. That is something I certainly can’t do.”

Lawrie also reflected on playing with Lee Westwood in the final round on Sunday, when the world No 3 came up just short once again in his bid to make the breakthrough in a major.

Hugely impressive from tee to green, the Englishman was let down by his putting on the undulating Augusta greens, but Lawrie is confident this latest disappointment won’t break Westwood’s resolve in his bid to join the major club.

“He is very strong mentally,” insisted the Scot. “You do not have the career he has without having a strong mind. It will not be long if he keeps on banging on the door. He is always so impressive from tee to green and he is the best driver of the ball I have seen. I saw Greg Norman in his prime, but Lee is better because he is so long and straight.

“I would not say he putted poorly, but they just would not go in. He shot 68 [in the final round] and it must have felt like 76. When you hit that many greens, you are going to be 20 feet away a lot. It is not always going to be four feet. Lee hits it to 12 feet a lot and you don’t hole them all the time.

“It is not easy to hole putts. I hope he does [win a major], because he is long overdue. He is a quality player.”