Augusta Diary: Did Bubba Watson beat Vijay Singh in dinner duel?

The Masters 2013

Ed Aarons
Wednesday 10 April 2013 06:39 EDT
Comments
Bubba Watson of the United States speaks to the media
Bubba Watson of the United States speaks to the media (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It was tears before teatime for Bubba Watson, but the reigning champion still managed to remain tight-lipped about what he was planning to serve up at the champions dinner.

Having discussed his menu with 1977 and 1981 winner and namesake Tom, Florida's most famous son insisted he wanted his choices to remain a mystery. "I don't know if I have to talk tonight, but if I do I'll probably cry," said Watson.

After Charl Schwartzel's South African braai last year and Phil Mickleson's seafood paella and manchego-topped fillet mignon in 2011, the field will expect something special. But Watson will have to go some way to beat Vijay Singh's gut-busting choice in 2000 – seafood tom kah, chicken panang curry, sea scallops, rack of lamb and Chilean sea bass, all topped off with lychee sorbet.

Rory's bag lady

They say you should never mix business with pleasure but no one seems to have told Rory McIlroy. After his last-minute dash to the tee at the Ryder Cup last year, Northern Ireland's finest has found a novel way to involve his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in today's par-three competition.

The former world No 1 female tennis player will be carrying her man's bag around Augusta, although doubtless she is fully aware of the statistic that no one has ever won the par-three competition and then gone on to win the main prize in the same week.

'Putting on the roof'

Augusta's greens are notoriously unforgiving, so Welshman Jamie Donaldson can be forgiven for being slightly worried.

"You've got to be in the right places otherwise you have no chance," he said after taking the opportunity to practise with Ian Poulter and Luke Donald. "It's like putting on the roof of a house. They are really quick and the lads reckon they're not even up to speed yet."

Donaldson has only ever seen the famous course on TV and playing video games but he still reckons his local municipal in Macclesfield has steeper hills.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in