|
 The American world number three moved into the luxurious resort
at The Greenbrier with his family only a month ago and has played
several practice rounds on the Old White Course over the past
fortnight.
"It's nice being here, nice being able to sleep in your own bed,
it's pretty cool," Watson told reporters on Tuesday as he prepared
for Thursday's opening round. "I'm excited about the week."
Asked what had prompted him to move his family into the mountains of
West Virginia, the American left-hander replied: "You're always
looking for a great temperature, always looking for a great place to
live.
"When you look at what The Greenbrier has to offer, or West Virginia
has to offer, you have family atmosphere, you have great golf. The
mountains are nice views. When you add that all up, it comes to an
easy place to decide to move to."
Watson, who has produced the most consistent season of his PGA Tour
career with the highlight being his second Masters victory in April,
has enjoyed getting to know the Old White Course a little better.
"I've played it probably five times in the last two weeks, so I have
been able to see it and have been able to familiarize myself with
it," said Watson, who tied for 30th last year in his first
appearance at The Greenbrier Classic.
"That doesn't mean when the pressure is on and the conditions are
right I'll play good. It just means I have a better chance of seeing
the course a few more times."
Watson has recorded seven top-10s in 13 starts on the 2013-14 PGA
Tour, including wins at the Northern Trust Open in February and the
Masters three months ago.
[to top of second column] |
SETTING SIGHTS HIGHER
He has clearly relished his campaign so far, but has set his sights
on making it even better.
"The season has been good," said the 35-year-old. "You know, we
always want better. We always want to win all of them, so we can
still have a good year and still have good finishes.
"I'm looking forward to this part of the year. The (FedExCup)
playoffs are coming up, and then eventually we'll have the Ryder
Cup, so that will be a fun trip overseas again."
Watson has been paired with fellow Americans Brendon Todd and J.B.
Holmes in a long-hitting grouping for the first two rounds.
Also competing this week are FedExCup points leader Jimmy Walker, a
three-times winner on the 2013-14 PGA Tour, and former major
champions Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley.
Swede Jonas Blixt defends the title he won last year after taking
advantage of a last-day collapse by overnight leader Johnson Wagner
to win his second PGA Tour title by two shots.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Gene
Cherry)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
