Watson and Johnson Set for Return at Memorial

Actually, nothing. And if you look at the field for the week, there’s even more to like about it.

The Memorial seemingly draws great players out of the woodwork. It’s all because the guy “in charge”, Jack Nicklaus. Well, the golf course at Muirfield Village might have something to do with it as well.

Look at the field! Seven of the top 10 in the FedEx Cup point standings, seven of the top 10 on the money list AND eight of the OWGR top 10. Add that there are eighteen players in the field have already won a tournament this year. There’s five past winners including four-time champ Tiger Woods and defending champ Steve Stricker. And we can’t forget nineteen major winners.

What could make this more appetizing? The return of Dustin Johnson and Masters champ Bubba Watson.

DJ has been sidelined for a fair amount of time. The reasons are a little on the vague side…to some. A sore back after Doral is what’s put him on the shelf. The injury was agitated even more when Johnson was attempting to put a jet-ski into the water. Believe what will on what rumors were swirling.

Apparently, there was this deal that DJ allegedly failed a drug test and was in rehab.

Rehab? Maybe for his back. Not sure I buy into the other though. Johnson has taking it all in his usual laid back approach. On the other hand, Johnson’s agent, David Winkle, has been shooting all this nonsense down. And he sounds like he’s a little miffed over the deal.

"“I’ve been managing players for 25 years,” he said, “and “I’ve never seen any place quite like the PGA Tour for rumors.”–David Winkle, agent for Dustin Johnson"

Where’s he going with this you may ask? Winkle told Karen Crouse of The New York Times that his daughters have been involved in cheerleading and sororities and the PGA TOUR “is worse than both”.

Wow. That’s all you can say is “wow”.

Watson has been out of action for different reasons: rest, relaxation and family.

He needed the rest. Ever since his Masters victory, Watson has played in only one tournament. That was the Zurich Classic in New Orleans at the end of April. He finished T18. The three weeks between those two tournaments and now the four weeks since New Orleans would tell you Watson could have been run down due to all the media mattes surrounding his Masters win and becoming a father.

Watson and his wife adopted a little Caleb. It’s still not finalized. Watson and his wife are in the process of trying to find a new home in the Orlando area. They haven’t found one to their liking yet. They also have two other homes on the market. But as we all know, Caleb comes first.

"The kid was more important. Took four years to process, some bad health, some moving states, all these kind of things. A lot of stuff going on in our life, a lot of positive things, nothing bad, a lot of positive. But it’s just different changes.— Bubba Watson"

Watson was asked about Tiger Woods holding another online chat. I’m sure you know the answer. We know Watson likes using social media. I take that back. He loves it. If you follow him on Twitter, you know exactly what I mean. He’s has pics of his family, the General Lee, even a pic of Bubba and Charles Howell III with Dora the Explorer.

Watson makes life fun. He makes golf fun.

Contrasting styles when you look at DJ and Bubba, but one point cannot be argued. They both make golf exciting.

It will be interesting to see how both perform this week after taking long layoffs. DJ for eleven weeks, Watson four. Jonson will be grouped with Brandt Snedeker and Adam Scott. The trio will tee off on #10 at 12:54 PM ET. Watson will be joined by Phil Mickelson and buddy Rickie Fowler. They’re due to go off #1 at 1:05 PM ET.

Also, Golf Channel does not begin its coverage until 3 PM ET; however, go to pgatour.com and LIVE@ will provide you with exclusive online coverage of the par-3 12th and the par-5 15th beginnng at 10:30 AM ET.

To read the transcript of Watson’s interview for media day, click here.

For a tournament preview, check out the video.