When defending Masters champion Scottie SchefflerTwo-time winner Bubba WatsonHe joked while on vacation to Tennessee in late last year that he was going have a separate dining room at the Champions Dinner at Augusta National Golf Club.
Watson is one of six Masters champions currently playing in LIV Golf League. They are also banned from participating in PGA Tour events.
Scheffler was obviously joking, but Watson said Tuesday he would sit wherever Watson tells him, as long as he attends the annual tradition for players who have won green jackets.
Watson told reporters during a news conference at Saudi International that he was fine as long as hes in the Champions Dinner. Ill take my place wherever he tells it. Its fine. Im fine as long Im allowed to sit back. Ill just sit outside and stare out the window.
Watson, who was the Masters winner in 2012 and 2014 said he was very grateful to be able very thankful to be playing in the first major championship. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley announced December that players who qualified under the old criteria used to determine the field (including past champions) would be allowed to return to play. You would be invited back to April.
Past Masters champions Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed Charl SchwartzelThey also compete on LIV Golf circuit.
Watson used to be there to support amateurs competing in the Augusta National Womens Amateur and at the Augusta National junior Drive, Chip and Putt finals. However, he will miss these events as LIV Golf has scheduled a tournament for Orlando, Florida the week prior to the Masters.
Watson said, But it is one year. Im going definitely be in the ears people at LIV, and try to get back there because what the Masters means for the game of Golf, what Augusta membership means to golf, and what I would love to see for the Womens Amateur, and the kids on Sunday.
Its a bit upsetting that Ill play golf in Orlando the week before, but I know it is for the best and Ill support my team and try to win that trophy. But Ill make it to Augusta as soon as I can.