Spain’s Alvaro Quiros Wednesday poured scorn on suggestions that golfers would follow Bubba Watson and ditch their coaches after the unorthodox American’s US Masters win.
Quiros, speaking at the Maybank Malaysian Open, said while the self-taught Watson had found success with his flamboyant approach, other winners followed the more traditional route.
“He’s the only one. Obviously last week was great for him but I’d say the other weeks, the winners of majors and of other tournaments are people who are a little bit mechanical, who have coaches and psychologists,” Quiros said.
“So you cannot say after just one week what we think about the wildest guy on tour. Probably he’s pure talent and it works for him, but everybody’s different.
“Not everybody will have the same skills as him, putting, chipping, or hitting the driver like him. So I would say the average player needs to have a coach, needs to work out. In his case I’ll just congratulate him and wait for the next few tournaments and see what he can do.”
Former world number one Martin Kaymer said Watson, the tall, free-hitting American with the booming drives, had a game that was well suited for Augusta.
“He’s not a guy who only hits the ball long. He’s so talented at shaping the ball and I think especially in Augusta it helps if you can play around a bit with the ball,” said Kaymer.
“He has a lot of touch around the greens. It was just a week where everything came together and he’s been successful. I think it’s just a matter of time that he will win again.
“Obviously to win the Masters was different but I was very happy for him.”
Watson honed his game on tree-dotted land at the back of his house, and it paid off in fine style Sunday when he hooked a pitch shot from foliage to beat Louis Oosthuizen on the second play-off hole.
“I always attack,” Watson said at Augusta. “I don’t like to go to the center of the greens. I want to hit the incredible shot. Who doesn’t? That’s why we play the game of golf, to pull off the amazing shot.”
Quiros and Kaymer are both hoping for an easier time on the slower greens of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club after struggling with their putting at Augusta. Quiros missed the cut while Kaymer tied for 44th.
“Obviously coming from the Masters, the course looks a bit easier,” Kaymer said. “You can be very aggressive.”