Bubba Watson gives God the glory
Bubba Watson, first-time winner of a Masters Tournament who earned his green jacket on Easter Sunday, recently spoke about tweeting for God, the PGA Bible study he took part in and his newly adopted son.
Watson, 33, spoke with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association after winning the 2012 Masters Tournament on Sunday. The golfer who tearfully thanked his "Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" after the big win, said he utilises his Twitter account to spread his Christian faith.
Watson describes himself on his Twitter page as "Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer". The Christian golfer said he has lost at least 100 followers for tweeting biblical messages.
When Watson receives negative backlash for his biblical tweets, he responds with messages like "I will pray for u and ur family." The golfer also quoted one of his favorite Christian rappers, Lecrae, saying he would like his followers to see God through him.
"Lecrae said it the best," Watson told the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. "He doesn't want to be a celebrity. He doesn't want to be a superstar. He just wants to be the middle man for you to see God through him."
Watson maintained his Christian principles during the golf tournament by engaging in an hour-long Bible study with fellow golfers each week. He described the importance of being able to connect with both God and his peers.
"For me it's a way to get back connected with the Bible and with God and Jesus. Now you know other people you can talk to, ask questions to, tell them what you're thinking, tell them what's going on in your life," Watson 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."
Watson, who recently adopted a one-month-old baby boy named Caleb with his former WNBA playing wife Angie Ball, also described his first church experience. According to Watson, twin girls from his neighbourhood convinced him to attend.
"The girls asked me to go to church," Watson said. "And after a few times going I realised this is what I wanted to do. This is truth here. And I gave myself to the Lord."
After he began dating Ball, the couple decided to live for Christ. Watson decided to get baptised with his wife in 2004 as a student at the University of Georgia.
"We wanted to be Christ followers," Watson said. "We wanted to do the right thing. We started turning to the Lord for our decisions."
The professional golfer, who said he has never taken a lesson, said he was grateful for the people around him and the opportunity to live his life for Christ.
"I've really got a good team around me trying to help me succeed," Watson said. "Not just in golf, but off the golf course, to be a light for Jesus."