In February 2018, the worlds of professional golf and professional basketball collided at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion and one of the most creative shot-makers in golf history, suited up for the NBA Celebrity All-Star game, playing for “Team Clippers” alongside the likes of Jamie Foxx and Paul Pierce.
Watson was in the middle of competing in the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club, and after finishing his second round on Friday afternoon, he shot off to Los Angeles for the game.
Expectations were sneakily high for Watson. Not only is he a natural athlete with considerable height, standing at 6’3”, but his wife, Angie, was a standout professional basketball player who played in the WNBA.
Perhaps being married to a professional hooper would give him some level of “basketball by association.” Unfortunately not.
How Bubba Watson played in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game
Unfortunately for Watson, the transition to basketball wasn’t such a success. While his team ultimately secured the victory, Watson’s personal stat sheet was modest at best. He finished the night with just two points, which came at the free-throw line.
His efforts from the field were characterized by a highlight-reel moment he’d likely rather forget: a wide-open jumper from the top of the key that resulted in an air ball.
And the struggle didn’t end there. During one drive to the hoop, Watson found himself face-to-face with NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady. That’s where the size and skill gap became painfully apparent, as McGrady swatted Watson’s layup attempt into the stands with ease.
Watson later joked that seeing the “big tank” of McGrady coming at him made him worry more about injury than scoring, noting that golf was “much easier” than avoiding a block from an NBA legend.
The best basketballing golfers
While Watson didn’t exactly light up the legendary Staples Center, many of his peers on the PGA Tour have a legitimate basketball pedigree.
Gary Woodland was the best of them all. Before he won the 2019 US Open, Woodland attended Washburn University on a full basketball scholarship, playing Division II ball before pivoting to golf.
Tony Finau was a high school standout in basketball who reportedly had several college offers to play basketball before opting to play golf, and 6’4” Dustin Johnson has shown off his dunking ability in the past.
Ultimately, Bubba’s foray into the NBA served as a reminder that even the world’s best athletes can look remarkably human when they step out of their element. Fortunately, the performance didn’t hurt his day job. Just 48 hours later, he went on to win the Genesis Open at Riviera.
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