He cried. Again. Watching Bubba Watson walk off the 18th green at Augusta National in April 2014, you couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. It wasn't just the golf. It was the fact that the 2014 Masters Tournament felt like a changing of the guard, or maybe just a chaotic reminder that Augusta doesn't care about your pre-tournament favorites.
Twenty-year-old Jordan Spieth was right there. He had the lead on Sunday. People were already crowning him the youngest winner in history, ready to erase Tiger Woods from that specific page of the record books. But the Masters has a funny way of pushing back against "destiny."
The Masters Golf Tournament 2014 was a weird one. No Tiger Woods. He was recovering from back surgery, and the atmosphere felt a bit hollow at first. But by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, the tension was so thick you could barely breathe. Bubba Watson wasn't supposed to be the "reliable" choice. He’s a guy who shapes the ball like he’s playing a video game, hitting hooks and slices that shouldn't exist in professional golf. Yet, he stayed calm while everyone else blinked.
The Sunday Duel That Nobody Expected
Sunday started with a leaderboard that looked like a dream for CBS executives. You had the veteran Watson and the kid, Jordan Spieth, tied for the lead at 5-under.
Spieth was electric early. He birdied the 2nd. He birdied the 7th. By the time they reached the 8th hole, the kid from Texas was two shots clear. It felt over. Honestly, it felt like we were watching the start of a decade of dominance. But the 8th and 9th holes changed everything. Spieth made back-to-back bogeys, and Watson, being Bubba, birdied both. A two-shot deficit turned into a two-shot lead for Watson in the blink of an eye. That’s how fast Augusta breaks you.
Watson’s 69 on Sunday was a masterclass in "unconventional" consistency. He didn't play safe; he just played better.
Amen Corner and the Death of Chasers
We have to talk about Amen Corner. It's a cliche for a reason. In 2014, it wasn't just where the leaders survived; it was where the chasing pack died. Matt Kuchar was in the mix. Jonas Blixt—remember him?—was lurking. Miguel Ángel Jiménez was doing his thing, looking like he just stepped out of a wine cellar to shoot a 71.
But 11, 12, and 13 were brutal.
Spieth’s birdie putt on 13 didn't drop. Watson, meanwhile, absolutely nuked a drive on 13. He had a wedge into a par-5. A wedge! He made birdie, moved to 8-under, and basically put the tournament in a chokehold. The sheer length Watson possessed was a massive advantage that year, especially with the course playing slightly damp in spots. He wasn't just hitting it far; he was hitting the right spots.
What Made 2014 Different
Most people forget that the 2014 Masters Tournament was actually quite low-scoring compared to other years. The greens were treacherous. If you missed on the wrong side, you were looking at a 40-foot par putt.
- The Tiger Absence: This was the first time since 1994 that Tiger Woods missed the Masters. The media didn't know what to do with themselves.
- The Rookies: There were 24 debutants in 2014. That’s insane. Usually, experience wins at Augusta, but Blixt and Spieth nearly tore that theory apart.
- The Age Factor: Miguel Ángel Jiménez finished 4th at age 50. Let that sink in. He outplayed almost every young gun in the field.
The leaderboard stayed tight for three days, but Sunday was a separation of tiers. Watson and Blixt were the only ones who finished under par in all four rounds. That tells you everything about the setup. It was a grind.
Why Bubba’s Second Win Mattered More Than His First
In 2012, Bubba won with "The Shot." You know the one—the 40-yard hook from the trees on the second playoff hole. It was a fluke of brilliance.
In 2014, it was different. He led the field in driving distance, sure, but he also showed a mental fortitude that people didn't think he had. He didn't need a miracle shot from the woods. He just dismantled the course with efficiency. Winning twice in three years put him in a category with names like Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Jose Maria Olazabal.
He proved he wasn't a one-hit wonder. He proved that "Bubba-golf"—that self-taught, wildly imaginative style—could survive the most rigid test in sports twice.
The Quiet Collapse of the Field
It wasn't just Spieth who fell away. Rickie Fowler was there. He shot a 73 on Sunday. He just couldn't get the putts to drop when it mattered. Thomas Bjorn and Lee Westwood were hovering around the top 10, but they never really threatened the lead.
The 2014 Masters Tournament was basically a two-man race by the time they turned for the back nine. It’s rare to see that at Augusta. Usually, there’s a charge from someone like Fred Couples or a random eagle on 15 that shakes the earth. Not this time. Watson just kept making pars. He stayed at 8-under, and nobody could catch him.
Blixt and Spieth finished at 5-under. Three shots. In the context of a Masters Sunday, three shots is a canyon.
Actionable Takeaways from the 2014 Leaderboard
If you're a student of the game or just a casual fan looking back, there are lessons in how Watson won this.
Angle of Attack is Everything
Watson’s ability to hit a high-spinning wedge was the difference. On holes like 13 and 15, he wasn't just hitting the green; he was stopping the ball on a dime. For your own game, stop worrying about distance and start worrying about how the ball lands.
The Power of the Par 5s
Bubba played the par 5s in 8-under for the week. He finished the tournament at 8-under. Do the math. He didn't beat the course; he beat the holes he was supposed to beat. At your local muni, the strategy is the same. Don't chase birdies on the hard par 4s. Kill the par 5s.
Emotional Regulation
Bubba is an emotional guy. He’s admitted to struggling with the pressure and the crowds. But in 2014, he stayed in his bubble. He didn't look at leaderboards as much. He focused on his caddie, Ted Scott. If you're playing a high-stakes round, find a way to shrink your world to just you and the ball.
The 2014 Masters Tournament ended with Bubba picking up his son, Caleb, on the 18th green. It was a human moment in a sport that often feels mechanical. It reminded us that even on the perfectly manicured grass of Augusta, the game is still played by people who feel the nerves just like we do—they're just much better at hiding it behind a pink driver.
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Study the 2014 Sunday pin positions. If you ever get the chance to play a simulated version of Augusta or even just a difficult local course, look at where those pins were. They were tucked in "sucker" positions. Watson’s win came from knowing when to fire at the flag and when to aim 20 feet away. That's the real secret of the Green Jacket.