A closing round of 69 defeating Tony Finau and Kevin Na earned Bubba Watson his 10th PGA title.

This was played out against the second installment of Tiger Woods return. It wasn’t pretty to watch. Huge, very noisy crowds, some wearing “Make Tiger Great Again” shirts came to Riviera CC to watch him shoot 148 and miss the cut. His driving at Torrey Pines had been wayward, but this week it was his iron play which was really erratic. He said that he kept missing above the hole. He has decided to play again at the Honda Classic, his first back to back tournament since August 2015. Let’s hope the back can take it.

Bubba Watson was overjoyed to break his winless drought. “who would have thought that Bubba Watson – no lessons, head case, hooking, slicing, cant putt would get to 10 wins?” he said. He revealed that during his recent slump he had seriously considered retirement but his wife Angie had told him to “stop whining and go and play golf”.

He once again spoke about needing to be more in the moment. I remember the last time he spoke of needing to be more aware of his environment – when he competed in the 2011 French Open.

Ah yes. He who called the Arch de Triomphe “the arch I drove round in a circle”, the Palace of Versailles “that castle next to where were staying” and the Louvre “that building beginning with L”. And he complained about the “rowdy French crowds”. Really? The tournaments I’ve been to in France have been almost refined compared to the crowds they’ve had at Riviera and Scottsdale this year.

So steady on Bubba. The Ryder Cup is in Paris this year. If this form continues and he makes the team we could be in for some more of the same.