Bubba Watson won. That's the short answer. But if you’re asking who won the masters in 2012, you probably aren’t just looking for a name to settle a pub quiz bet. You’re looking for that shot. You know the one. The high-slicing, physics-defying wedge from the pine straw on the second playoff hole that basically shouldn't have been possible.
Augusta National does this to people. It turns grown men into legends or tragedies, and in 2012, it decided to give us a left-handed kid from Bagdad, Florida, who never had a golf lesson in his life.
The Sunday Chaos You Probably Forgot
Most people remember the playoff, but the lead-up was a mess. A beautiful, stressful mess. Louis Oosthuizen—the guy Bubba eventually beat—started the day like a man possessed. He made a double eagle. An albatross. On the par-5 second hole. Think about that for a second. The odds of making an albatross at the Masters are astronomical, yet Louis drained a 4-iron from 253 yards away. The roar was so loud it reportedly shook the tea cups in the clubhouse.
At that point, it felt like the tournament was over. Who beats a guy who starts his round with a 2?
But Bubba didn't care. He’s always played "Bubba Golf," which is basically a polite way of saying he ignores every conventional rule of the sport. He doesn't aim at targets; he aims at "windows" in the air. While the rest of the field was trying to play safe, calculated golf, Watson was carving the ball 40 yards in either direction.
By the time they reached the back nine, the leaderboard was a graveyard of big names. Phil Mickelson had a nightmare on the fourth hole, hitting a grandstand and ending up with a triple bogey that effectively killed his chances. Lee Westwood was hovering, as he always seemed to do back then, but couldn't find the putts. It came down to Watson and Oosthuizen, both finishing at 10-under par.
That Shot from the Trees
The playoff started on the 18th. Both made par. Then they went to the 10th.
The 10th at Augusta is a long, downhill par 4 that doglegs left. Bubba, being Bubba, absolutely nuked his drive. The problem? He nuked it way too far right. He ended up deep in the trees, standing on dead pine needles with a gap between the oaks that looked about as wide as a hallway.
Louis was in the fairway, but he came up short of the green. This was Louis's tournament to win. All Bubba had to do was punch out, hope for a miracle par, and pray Louis didn't up-and-down.
Instead, Bubba pulled out a 52-degree wedge.
He didn't just hit the ball. He hooked it. He hooked it so hard it looked like a boomerang. The ball traveled about 160 yards, but it curved at least 40 yards in the air. It landed on the green and checked up like it was on a string.
"I got lucky," Bubba said later. But anyone watching knew it wasn't luck. It was the kind of creative genius that golf rarely sees anymore in the era of "launch monitors" and "optimized swing planes." Bubba saw a gap, felt the wind, and just... did it.
Louis couldn't recover. Bubba two-putted for par, collapsed into his caddie's arms, and cried like a baby. It was one of the most emotional wins in the history of the green jacket.
Why 2012 Was a Turning Point for the Masters
We often look back at specific years as "transition" years. 2012 was exactly that. It was the year we realized the "Tiger and Phil" era was widening to include these incredible, eccentric outliers.
When we talk about who won the masters in 2012, we’re talking about the validation of the "un-coached" athlete. Bubba Watson's victory proved that you don't need a sports psychologist or a swing guru to win at the highest level. You just need an incredible imagination and the guts to try a shot that everyone else thinks is stupid.
The Breakdown of the Top Leaderboard
It wasn't just a two-man race, though. The depth of the field that year was insane. If a couple of putts had dropped differently, we’d be talking about a completely different legacy for guys like Matt Kuchar or Peter Hanson.
- Bubba Watson: -10 (Won in playoff)
- Louis Oosthuizen: -10
- Lee Westwood: -8
- Matt Kuchar: -8
- Peter Hanson: -8
- Phil Mickelson: -8
Mickelson’s performance is actually the "what if" of the tournament. If he doesn't hit that metal railing on the par-3 fourth, he likely wins his fourth jacket. He was playing some of the best golf of his life, but Augusta is a cruel mistress. One bad bounce and you're relegated to a tie for third.
Understanding the "Bubba Effect"
What happened after 2012 is just as interesting as the win itself. Bubba didn't just disappear. He came back and won again in 2014. It turned out that his wild, sweeping draws and fades were perfectly suited for a course that rewards shot-shaping over raw accuracy.
Most modern players try to take the course out of the equation by hitting it over the trees. Bubba used the trees. He used the slopes. He played the course like a violin, even if that violin sounded a bit frantic at times.
Honestly, the 2012 Masters changed how a lot of amateur golfers looked at the game. It reminded us that golf is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be about creativity. If you’re stuck in the trees this weekend, don't just chip out sideways. Think about Bubba. (Okay, maybe you should just chip out, because you aren't Bubba Watson, but it's fun to dream).
Common Misconceptions About the 2012 Win
A lot of people think Bubba led the whole way. He didn't. He was actually three shots back starting the final round. Peter Hanson was the 54-hole leader, and most people expected the Swede to hold on. But Sunday at the Masters is a different beast. The pressure cooks you. Hanson shot a 73, which just wasn't enough to hold off the charge from the guys behind him.
Another misconception? That the pine straw shot was a fluke. If you watch the replay, Bubba actually chooses his spot. He adjusts his feet. He knows exactly how much that ball is going to move. It was a calculated risk from a guy who spends his entire life hitting "impossible" shots on the range.
How to Apply the Lessons of 2012 to Your Own Game
You don't have to be a pro to learn something from who won the masters in 2012. Bubba’s win is a masterclass in several things that actually help your handicap.
🔗 Read more: Michigan State Basketball Game Time Today: Why This Washington Trip Matters
1. Recovery is a Mindset
Most amateurs give up mentally after a bad drive. Bubba was in the literal woods. He didn't panic. He assessed the situation and found a path. Even if your "path" is just a safe punch-back to the fairway, do it with confidence.
2. Play Your Shape
Bubba is a lefty who hits a massive slice (which is a fade for him, but let's be real, it's a slice). He never tried to fix it. He just aimed further left. Stop trying to hit it perfectly straight. If the ball always goes right, aim left and own it.
3. The Short Game Saves Lives
Everyone talks about the wedge shot, but Bubba’s putting on the back nine was rock solid. He made the gritty 4-footers that keep a round alive. You can't win a jacket if you're three-putting from 20 feet.
Looking Back at the Legacy
The 2012 Masters remains one of the most "human" tournaments. It wasn't won by a robot. It was won by a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, plays a pink driver, and hits shots that look like they belong in a cartoon.
It was the year the pine straw became holy ground. If you ever visit Augusta, find the 10th hole. Walk down into those trees on the right side. Look at the green from there. You'll realize just how insane that shot truly was.
Next Steps for the Golf Fan:
- Watch the Highlight Reel: Go to YouTube and search for "Bubba Watson 2012 Masters Playoff." Watch the ball flight from the camera angle behind him. It still doesn't look real.
- Study the Albatross: Check out Louis Oosthuizen’s double eagle on the 2nd hole from the same year. It’s one of only four in Masters history.
- Check the Equipment: Bubba won with a Ping G20 driver (pink, obviously). It’s a testament to how much technology has changed since 2012, yet the fundamentals of "Bubba Golf" remain exactly the same.
- Visit the Course: if you're ever lucky enough to get tickets, the 10th hole is a must-see. The elevation change is way more dramatic than it looks on television.