Bubba Watson secures invite to Grand Slam with Masters win (Update)

Bermuda will get a repeat dose of ‘Bubba golf’ after the American won his second Masters on Sunday by three shots.

Bubba Watson claimed his second Green Jacket in three years to earn himself another invite to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal from October 13-15.

The Floridian tied for third in his last appearance at the lucrative end-of-season event, which was won last year by 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.

In the final round at Augusta on Sunday, Watson, 35, held off the challenge of Masters rookie Jordan Spieth, who failed to recover from a four-shot swing on the eighth and ninth after being two shots up at the eighth tee.

Attempting to become the youngest winner in the event’s history, Spieth then came further unstuck at the famous par three 12th at Amen Corner, finding the water to drop three behind the increasingly-authoritative Watson.

Spieth, just 20, eventually finished tied second on five under with another rookie, 29-year-old Jonas Blixt.

“Some of the most talented golfers in the world never qualify for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and Bubba Watson has done it twice in three years.  It’s a tremendous accomplishment,” said David Charles, senior director of championships for the PGA of America.  “We look forward to seeing Bubba back in Bermuda.”

The Grand Slam of Golf features the winners of the year’s four major championships — the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, PGA Championship and the Masters.  The other three qualifiers will be decided in June, July and August of this year.

The Slam will be broadcast to a worldwide audience on TNT and is hosted by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Port Royal Golf Course and the Fairmont Southampton.

Andy Burrows, PGA Grand Slam of Golf Chairman, said: “Bubba Watson gave us all quite the show when he was here in 2012.  All of his fans in Bermuda are looking forward to seeing him and his signature pink driver back in Bermuda again at Port Royal.”

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features a $1.35 million purse, with the winner receiving $600,000; second place $300,000; third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.