Has the feel-good aura of winning the green jacket already worn off? Or was Bubba Watson always something of a crank, and now we’re just noticing because everyone is paying attention? The simmering story this week on the PGA Tour is that Bubba Watson is back playing in a somewhat minor event, which is surprising because tour stops like the Zurich Classic of New Orleans are the types the big dogs usually skip. And now Bubba is a big dog, courtesy of his Masters win. But Bubba is a man who is loyal, and he won here last year so he considers it his obligation to show up.
The only problem is, he’s letting everyone know that. And if you read between the lines from his testy press conference earlier in the week you get the feeling that the feel-good everyman Bubba may not stay that way for long. Cue the prima donna music! Let’s see how cheery the new dad is if he starts hitting them into the swamp. And if Bubba fails us, maybe John Daly can provide some excitement. Anyway — no online golf AGAIN this week, so you are stuck with broadcast TV, radio or shot tracker. (At least there’s the bonus Golf Channel coverage on the weekend) But you probably won’t care until Saturday anyway since you will be watching the NFL Draft.
But if you want golf…
Here’s where to follow the action:
ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS
(all times Eastern)
TV COVERAGE
Thursday, April 26 — Golf Channel, 3 p.m. — 6 p.m.
Friday, April 27 — Golf Channel, 3 p.m. — 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 28 — Golf Channel, 1 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.; CBS, 3 p.m. — 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 29 — Golf Channel, 1 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.; CBS, 3 p.m. — 6 p.m.
RADIO
SIRIUS XM (Satellite)
12 p.m. — 6 p.m., Thursday-Sunday
ONLINE
The PGA’s Live@ broadcasts don’t return until the Players in early May. So you will have to get by online with…
PGA SHOT TRACKER
Get your online fix via Shot Tracker for the ZCoNO.
TOP TWITTER FEEDS TO FOLLOW
Geoff Shackelford — well known golf writer.
Golf Channel — official Golf Channel feed
@PGATOUR — official PGA Twitter feed
@StephanieWei — great golf writer who is a Twitter fiend
LOCAL FLAVOR
Is there any place in the U.S. more flavorful than New Orleans? Wish we were there this weekend — not only is there golf, there’s the New Orleans Jazz Festival. For golf, Doug Tatum at the New Orleans Times-Picayune is the guy to follow
WHAT’S THE COURSE LIKE?
Not much flavor or history to the TPC Louisiana. Looks swampy.
WHO WON THIS THING LAST YEAR?
Bubba. (Has he become a one-word player yet? Like Tiger or Phil?)
FEDEX CUP LEADERS
1. Hunter Mahan, 1,378 points
2. Bubba Watson, 1322
3. Phil Mickelson, 1,136
4. Carl Pettersson, 1,111
5. Johnson Wagner, 1,056
See the full standings for the FedEx Cup points list.
WORLD GOLF RANKINGS
1. Rory McIlroy; 2. Luke Donald; 3. Lee Westwood; 4. Bubba Watson; 5. Hunter Mahan.
See the official World Golf Ranking list.
Pity poor Bubba. Playing golf, what a sacrifice.
Q. What did you envision, can you put that into perspective for us, perhaps?
BUBBA WATSON: I’m very excited. I can’t hit a full swing yet. My distance isn’t where I want it to be. Anytime I hit a full swing I’m just exhausted, takes my breath away. Just trying to fight through it.
I knew I needed to be here being defending champ for the local fans, the volunteers and the charities that we’re helping out this week, I had to be here for that and I’m here but mentally I’m not here. I’m so out of it right now, golf is a hard thing to do right now.