Two-time Major Champion Bubba Watson is hoping to get his putter firing in order to challenge at this week’s Shenzhen International at Genzon Golf Club.
Watson captured the WGC-HSBC Champions on his last visit to China, and is the pre-tournament favourite for the third of five new events on this year’s Race to Dubai.
The American World Number Four comes into the event having finished tied for 38th in the defence of his Masters Tournament title, but insists he was not far from being in contention at Augusta National.
“I went there with high expectations, and I just didn’t make any putts,” said the big-hitting left-hander. “That’s what changes your round, your week.
“And then Jordan played unbelievable golf; he was the first person ever to get 19 under, and made all his putts.
“It just shows that’s how you win golf tournaments, by making crucial putts at the right time.”
Of this week’s host venue, which Watson sampled for the first time on Tuesday, he said: “I played all 18 holes yesterday, and I have to say, the second is one of the tightest holes I’ve seen with the trees.
“Off the tee, this golf course is very demanding. You need to position it in the right spots, and then the greens are going to be tricky because of the undulation – it’s about green speed.
“So it’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and hope to have a chance on the weekend – that’s why I’m here.”
Much has been made of Jordan Spieth’s sensational victory in the year’s first Major Championship last week, and with the 21 year old American and 25 year old Ulsterman Rory McIlroy occupying the first two places in the Official World Golf Ranking, there has been talk of a changing of the guard.
While Watson agrees with that sentiment, he expects to see some players emerge from this week’s host nation to challenge those two over the coming years.
“As the guys get older, it changes – they are not as highly ranked as they were before, and obviously it shows that the game of golf is in the right place. That’s why we’re here in China, to grow the game even more.
“I think with the population in China, golf can really grow and even double in size. Young guys from China could change the game over the next five years, for sure.”
The highest ranked Chinese player currently is World Number 194 Li Hao-tong, a four-time winner on home soil within the last year.
Having been with Watson and France’s Alex Levy, the 19 year old is hoping to prove he can challenge on the world stage, after making the cut in all four of his European Tour outings last term.
“I've seen him on TV and also winning the Masters and so forth,” said Li.
“I'm very lucky that I have a chance to be with him in the same group for two days, and obviously down the line I look to have more opportunities to be with him in the same group.
“All I want to do right now is step by step earn my ranking points and prize money in order to get there.”
