Bubba Watson's caddie says other shots overlooked

Bubba Watson’s caddie, Ted Scott, claims his boss hit three recovery shots from the trees in the 2012 Masters Tournament that were more difficult than the one that won it on the second playoff hole.

“That’s how he played the game growing up,” Scott said. “While there may be other guys who can do it, I don’t know if there’s anybody who can do it with that much confidence because he does it all the time.”

Here, in his caddie’s words, are the three par saves that ultimately led to Wat­son’s history-making hook:

No. 11, first round

“He hit it into pine trees on the right on 11 and got this lie that’s like a bird’s nest. Fluffed up, the ball’s sitting up 2 or 3 inches. It wasn’t like you could make clean contact or pinch it against the ground. It was an easy pin so I said, ‘Just chip it out, easy wedge. We’re 3-under; let’s just play smart.’ He said, ‘You know I’m known for hooking it.’ I was like, ‘Oh my god. Are you kidding me?’ How in the world is he going to get enough spin on this ball to hook it? Nobody can hit this shot. I said to him, ‘I don’t understand what you’re saying here.’ He said, ‘I’m pretty sure I’ve got this shot.’ In my mind I’m backing away saying, ‘Why are you agreeing to this? This is stupid.’

“He aims it at the pond and hits this low snap hook 9-iron there that catches that slope right of the green and comes down on the front of the green and two putts for par. I’m like, what was that? To this day, I could literally go and put a dozen golf balls, recreate the fluffed lie and could not get one ball to hook enough not to go in the lake. No chance I don’t hit it in the lake every time.”

No. 7, second round

“He missed fairway to the right and he’s looking at it and thinking about hitting a slice onto the green. The pin is on the right. What? Just hit a low hook and run it up there, chip onto the back of the green and the ball will run down to the hole. He’s trying to hit it through this 6-foot gap up there with a slice with a 9-iron. If it doesn’t slice, you’re short-siding yourself. There’s a lot of bad that can come from it. He hit it up there close.”

No. 17, final round

“He pushed it left. The lie was terrible – trampled down, real thin. He had to hit it hard and high, which you have to have a lot of power to do. Bubba thinks that was the second toughest. The situation, tied for the lead with two to play, made it harder.”