22nd Jan 2013 | Farmers Insurance Open
Farmers Insurance Open Tips: Bubba Watson
Winner of the event in 2011, his length is an advantage on the monstrously long Torrey Pines South.
Bubba Watson has been an ever present at Torrey Pines since he graduated to the PGA Tour. With the South course stretching to 7,698 yards, his power hitting has always given him an advantage. Since 2006 he has registered finishes of: T56-T4-T47-T7-MC-1-T12.
The reigning Masters champion got his 2013 campaign off to a good start with a T4 finish at the Tournament of Champions, despite feeling unwell.
Ranked first for driving distance and second for GIRs last season, the one big weakness in Bubba’s game is his putting. In the last three years he hasn’t ranked better than 117th for strokes gained putting. Fortunately, there isn’t the pressure on his flat stick at Torrey Pines, with length being the biggest obstacle.
When he won the Farmers Insurance Open in 2011, Bubba finished on 16-under having played the par-5s in 13-under. With the ability to reach greens under-regulation he doesn’t need to putt outstandingly well to win; regulation 2-putts can still yield birdies.
With his distance striking such a huge asset, especially at Torrey Pines South, he looks good each-way value at 16/1 (Bet365) with ¼ odds for a top-5 finish.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 14:26 22nd Jan, 2013 but subject to change
