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 But the lesson might have to be put on hold this week at the Tour
Championship at East Lake, where, Watson says, he will be cautious
to avoid the rough.
Watson marveled at how the 27-year-old Australian attacked courses
in recent triumphs at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and
last week's BMW Championship that carried him to the world number
one ranking.
"I went in the playoff at PGA Championship at Whistling Straits (in
2010). I definitely didn't see people getting to 20-under-par like
this year," Watson told reporters on Tuesday.
"I went into that golf course thinking ... in the 60s was good, or
under par was good. And then there (were) guys basically saying,
'no, 65 is good'.
"I didn't see that, because of my thinking. Obviously I took the
wrong thinking, or I give majors too much credit."
Day won last month's PGA Championship for his maiden major at
20-under 268, a major record low score in relation to par.
He won the BMW Championship on Sunday at 22-under, and in between
captured The Barclays at 19-under.
"I thought I played pretty good, but I finished 21st (at seven-under
at the PGA Championship)," Watson continued.
"Jason Day decided that that course was easy. Jason was obviously
looking at birdies and not how tough the golf course was."
East Lake, site of the season-ending Tour Championship starting on
Thursday, is a different matter, said the long-hitting lefty, who
flagged a more conservative approach on a course that has he
struggled to conquer.
"This golf course always beats me. Very tricky for me with the rough
... it catches fliers all the time for my swing.
"We're trying to figure out how we can attack this golf course the
right way, and play more conservative."
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Watson has a lot riding on a win. He is fifth on the PGA Tour points
list, and along with the others in the top five - Day, Jordan
Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson - victory would clinch the
FedExCup's $10 million bonus.
Self control from the rough may be the key, said Watson.
"It's difficult for me because I think I can hit every shot. I think
I can move the ball every direction," he said.
"So it's aiming more to the center of the greens. It's playing to
the safer side. It's not trying to get too much out of a club."
Watson's choices can get complex.
"With a flier lie I could hit a wedge 190 (yards), no problem.
"From the fairway, I could hit a wedge from a hundred yards, so
you're talking about a 90-yard gap."
Watson wants to get away from guess work.
"It's a learning process," said the 36-year-old. "My whole golf game
is about thinking."
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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