Originally published in the Christian Institute
Golfing champion Bubba Watson has won his second Masters in three years, at Augusta National in Georgia.
Watson, who has never had a golf lesson, is the 17th player to win the competition’s prestigious green jacket twice.
He won his last Masters in 2012 and openly thanked his “Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” soon after his victory.
Ahead of this year’s tournament, Watson was encouraged to read Philippians 4:11: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
After winning the tournament, he told the television sports network ESPN that since the last Masters’ title he has ‘changed his attitude to his life’.
Referring to his adopted son Caleb, he said “the difference” is that “I see myself as a role model for my son now not as the golfer”.
Two years ago, Watson spoke to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and explained how attending weekly bible studies, while on tour, had impacted his conflation of faith and golf.
He said: “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.”
“For me, it’s just showing the Light,” he explained. “There’s people who want to put down Christians. I try to tell them Jesus loves you. It’s just a way to be strong in my faith.”