Bubba Watson turns a cheerleader for golf in the Olympics

Bubba Watson is completely taken in by the Olympic experience, terming it a once in a lifetime opportunity

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Rickie Fowler Golf Rio 2016 Olympic Golf

August 14, 2016: Olympic Golf seemed like an afterthought for several professional golfers, with jarring voices rocking the lead up to the games in Rio. But it seems the Olympics has won over the golfers, who are unequivocal in acclaiming the games as an unmatched experience. Bubba Watson has turned into one of the biggest champions for the Olympics, heaping enormous praise on the Olympics.

“I’ve been treating this different than any other tournament. I mean, this is the Olympics,” said an obviously overwhelmed Watson (73-67-67). “This is the greatest sporting event that you can ever be associated with. Look at these athletes that are here; this is every sportsman in the world’s dream to be here, and now that golf is in here, I’m a kid in a candy store.”

“It’s more like a Ryder Cup than a major, but I would say it’s more unique than either of those two,” believes Justin Rose (67, 69, 65). “I couldn’t pigeonhole it into either category to be honest with you, and that’s been my whole approach to the Olympic Games is that you can’t compare it to anything else.

“I think it’s probably lived up to my expectations. I feel like the crowd have been a lot of fun to play in front of. There’s been a lot of goodwill for all of the players from all different nationalities, but at the same time you have your pockets of fans that are really cheering for you. Yeah, it’s been a fun crowd to be a part of.”

“It’s been motivating to be pushed on by some of my countrymen and women from other sports. I’ve seen quite a lot of the handballers out there and some of the other Swedish athletes. When you’ve got someone from your national team and another sport out there watching you play, of course you want to perform well,” said Henrik Stenson (66, 68, 68). “That’s been good, good support. I think it’s been decent crowds out there and good atmosphere. Of course there’s quite a few fans that are new to golf and all the rest of it. But all in all, I think that’s been very good.”

“A heap of people to be honest. It’s been overwhelming. Social media has been going into meltdown on the phone,” explained Marcus Fraser (63, 69, 72), when asked about people reaching out to him since his first round in Rio. “I haven’t got very many followers as it is, but I think I’ve picked up about an extra 400 this week (laughs). I might hang around next week in Rio and keep going, it’s great. “

“Look, we’re all trying to win the gold. Second and third are great when you get them, but we’re all trying to win the gold, no doubt about it. As I said before, every week, 156 guys tee it up, you have one winner and 155 losers,” explained Padraig Harrington (70, 71, 67). “This week, 60 guys have teed it up and we’re all Olympians, we’re all winners. Everybody will walk away from this feeling like they have achieved something this week.”

“It’s definitely a different vibe at the Olympics, and having other athletes come out and watch and being able to go watch other athletes compete, it’s a special, special week, and something I’m going to remember forever,” confessed Rickie Fowler (75, 71, 64).

The ones that did not make it or opted out of the event will surely be shifting uncomfortably on their couch as they try and get a glimpse of the games from their living rooms. We could be in for a long and flourishing future for golf in the Olympics.

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