Bubba Watson wants to reach as many as he can for Christ through his sporting success.,,,
Two times Masters champion Bubba Watson is known for his freakishly long drives, his colourful history on the pro tour, and for his outspoken faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And now readers can find out exactly what makes him tick through his searingly honest book, Up and Down: Victories and Struggles in the Course of Life.
The 43-year-old is a committed Christian whose Twitter profile makes no bones about how he shapes his life: Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer.
After lifting golf’s highest prize in Augusta, the American tweeted: “I thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
He then quoted Bible verses and responded to abusive messages by saying he would pray for his critics.
Watson attends an hour-long Bible study with fellow golfers each week and is a church regular. He even attends the group during the major tournaments.
He said: “For me it’s a way to get back connected with the Bible and with God and Jesus.
“It’s about getting more in the Word and realising that golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can.”
Watson, who adopted a boy named Caleb with his wife Angie Ball, also described his first church experience when twin girls from his neighbourhood convinced him to attend.
“The girls asked me to go to church,” Watson said. “And after a few times going I realised this is what I wanted to do. This is truth here. And I gave myself to the Lord.”
After he began dating Ball, the couple decided to become Christians. Watson was baptised with his wife in 2004 as a student at the University of Georgia.
“We wanted to be Christ followers,” Watson said. “We wanted to do the right thing. We started turning to the Lord for our decisions.”
The professional golfer, who has never taken a lesson, said he was grateful for the people around him and the opportunity to live his life for Christ.
“I’ve really got a good team around me trying to help me succeed. Not just in golf, but off the golf course, to be a light for Jesus.”
Up and Down is out now.
