Bubba Watson is feeling optimistic ahead of the LIV and PGA players reunion at The Masters.
Competitors from the rival organisations will be in the same place at the same time when they gather for the annual Champions Dinner. After being linked with LIV golf for months, the 44-year-old made the switch to the Saudi-backed circuit last July, reportedly earning more than £41m.
The two-time Masters winner will attend Scottie Scheffler’s meal with fellow LIV players and former Masters champions Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Charl Schwartzel. Tensions have escalated between some players on opposite sides of the ultimate golf battle, and Scheffler recently joked Watson would be sitting on his own table in the corner.
But the former world No. 2 does not expect a frosty atmosphere at the meal and believes it will be the perfect opportunity to settle any lingering issues. “I think it's going to be great,” Watson said of the Champions Dinner. “I still talk to guys on the PGA Tour. I still talk to people that work on staff at the PGA Tour. It's been amazing communicating with them. I still reach out on their birthdays, reach out at Christmas. We still talk. I still watch and pull for my guys.
“So I can't wait to get there because when you're wearing the green jacket at the dinner, everything goes out the window. You know how blessed you are to be in that room and how thankful you are to be in that room. I've already talked to guys, and we can't wait to hang out."
Scheffler's menu was released earlier this week and staying true to his Texan upbringing, he has opted for a traditional Southern-style banquet. To kick things off, Scheffler chose appetisers, one of which has his ‘Scottie-Style’ spin on cheeseburger sliders, along with firecracker shrimp with sweet Thai chilli and sriracha mayo.
The esteemed guests will then be able to enjoy Tortilla Soup with avocado, crispy blue tortilla strips, sour cream, coriander and lime as the first course. For the main event, those in attendance will be able to choose from the popular Texas Ribeye Steak or the Blackened Redfish, with enticing sides of 'family-style' mac and cheese, jalapeño creamed corn, fried brussels sprouts and chips.
Scheffler rounded things off with a classic all-American choice of a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie for dessert, served with milk and cookie-flavoured ice cream.
Watson, a self-confessed fussy eater, gave the defending champion's menu the thumbs up, after revealing that he usually eats beforehand in case he doesn’t like what is on offer.
“I can’t wait for that food. I'll give you a secret, normally I eat before, eat a couple burritos before I go to the dinner because I don't know what they're going to have,” Watson admitted. “I’m very picky when it comes to food. But when I saw his menu, I definitely want the dessert and I definitely want a couple sliders. So yeah, I can't wait. It'll be fun.”
