Watson to play with green ball this week

You’ll have to wait until Thursday’s first round to see whether two-time champion Bubba Watson becomes the first golfer to play a green ball in the Masters Tournament, because he’s not saying what his plans are.

Earlier this year, Watson signed a deal with Volvik, which produces white, pink, yellow and green balls. He has alternated between pink and green this year.

When he does break out his green ball, which he says he will, Watson will be the first player to use the color that is so associated with the Masters in the tournament. Back in their day, Hale Irwin and Jerry Pate played orange balls.

“I’ll practice with it this week and play the pink ball as well,” Watson said of the green ball.

As for what color he’ll play on what day, Watson said “it’s really about the way I’m feeling. Whichever is closest to me to grab, which one I see in my locker. It’s not Masters green. There are other ball companies making that color green, so it’s not like it’s just a special one just for the Masters.”

Whatever color Watson starts the round with, he must finish with it, though he can switch balls of that color. Changing colors is a violation of the Rules of Golf.

“I haven’t dealt with USGA – Volvik has, but I’d love to sit down with them and ask them why we can’t,” Watson said. “‘I’m not a ball manufacturer, but it’s dye. All the white golf balls have dye on them to make them white.”

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Another Bulldog: Russell Henley’s victory in the Houston Open on Sunday made him the 94th and final starter in this year’s field, which is five more than last year.

He’s also the fifth former Georgia Bulldog golfer in the field. The others are Watson, Patrick Reed, Kevin Kisner and Hudson Swafford.

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Going for Hale’s record: When Hale Irwin finished his competitive Champions Tour career with 45 victories, the record was thought to be untouchable.

Bernhard Langer, 59, has 30 victories, including one this season.

“I’ve thought about it,” Langer said of breaking Irwin’s record. “But Hale was a phenomenal golfer.”

Nick Price isn’t putting it past Langer, who is a two-time Masters champion.

“He’s an iron man,” Price said.

Langer said he will keep playing as long as he is healthy and competitive.

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Missing ingredient: Former Georgia Tech golfer Matt Kuchar had a banner year last year. The only thing missing was a victory.

Kuchar won an Olympic bronze medal, was a member of the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup team and played in the Tour Championship. His best finish last year was third place.

“I didn’t have as many chances to win last year – maybe one or two – that I would like,” said Kuchar, who has seven career victories. ”I wasn’t able to get in the winner’s circle, and that’s what we’re all hoping to do.”

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He’s No. 1: Masters champion Danny Willett has gone from having the last Masters player’s pin to the first.

He was the last player to sign in last year, on Tuesday, and was given No. 89. As the defending champion, he receives the No. 1 player pin regardless of when he registers. He signed in Saturday morning and played nine holes.

“There were only about 20 people on the golf course,” he said. “It was nice and quiet. I just kind of moseyed around and hit a few shots.”

He said he has been thinking about the speech he will make at Tuesday’s Champions Dinner, which he will host.

“There are going to be some true legends there,” Willett said. “I think there will be 34 guys this year. It’s going to be pretty special. That’s when you start to realize you’ll be here for the rest of your life.”