US golfer Bubba Watson will dedicate his Ryder Cup debut to his dying father, Gerry
Vietnam War veteran Gerry Watson is battling cancer, and Watson Jr ufffd Bubba ufffd struggled to hold back the tears yesterday as he underlined what his Ryder Cup golf will be about. "My dad is dying of cancer. The doctor says he has three months to live," said Watson. "I'm playing this for him and representing the United States.
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"I, more than likely, am never going to be in the military unless they ask for our help, so this is the chance to be like my dad." Watson did his father proud with an outstanding performance in this year's PGA Championship at Wisconsin where he was beaten in a play-off by Germany's Martin Kaymer, a European Ryder Cup rival.
And having gone so close to landing a first Major, 32-year-old Watson is determined to make his mark alongside some illustrious company tomorrow. "You are going to get pumped up, but one thing I've noticed is that when I have to do something I can usually hold it together and play all right," he added.
"I could easily, I guess, have thrown the tournament away at the PGA Championship, under pressure with like five holes to go. There was a lot of pressure. Who doesn't want to to lift a big heavy trophy like that?
Solid
"I hit a bad shot in the play-off, but to get in the play-off I played solid under pressure. I held it together well."
Despite heavy rain sluicing through most of yesterday's practice rounds, crowds flocked to the course, suggesting the opening fourballs tomorrow morning will begin in an electric atmosphere. With stands on three sides of the first tee, American visitors are comparing it to a small baseball arena, and Watson knows it will be no place for the faint-hearted.
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