In a candid and emotional revelation, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has opened up about the intense mental health challenges he faced during the pinnacle of his golfing career. Despite capturing the coveted green jacket in 2012 and 2014, Watson revealed that behind the scenes, he was silently battling overwhelming anxiety and stress.
“Anxieties and stress were eating me alive,” Watson shared in a recent interview. “I was winning on the outside, but inside, I was falling apart.”
Watson’s struggles with mental health, long speculated by fans and commentators, were largely hidden from public view during his dominant years on the PGA Tour. He described sleepless nights, panic attacks, and a constant fear of failure that clouded even his biggest victories.
“I remember standing on the 18th green, holding the trophy, and all I could think about was what would happen if I couldn’t do it again,” he said. “It was terrifying.”
The 46-year-old golfer, now playing on the LIV Golf circuit, has become more vocal about mental health in recent years. His honesty comes as part of a broader push within the sports world to destigmatize mental health issues among athletes.
Watson credits therapy, his faith, and support from his family for helping him cope and eventually manage his condition. “Talking about it didn’t make me weaker—it made me stronger,” he said. “And if sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it.”
As fans reflect on Watson’s storied career, his openness adds a powerful layer to his legacy—not just as a champion golfer, but as a voice for mental health awareness in professional sports.
