Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson Remain Friends, Despite Bubba Leaving for LIV Golf

The former Ryder Cup teammates remain tight even though they don't see each other as often.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Webb Simpson has been friends with Bubba Watson for most of the time they have been professional golfers.

It’s a friendship that has stood the test of time, through thick and thin.

Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, looking over putts in a 2021 U.S. Open practice round, remain friends but opportunities to play together will be much more rare.

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Most learned of the bond between the two at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, when the duo went 2-1-0 in the team competition but contributed to the U.S. collapse in Sunday singles, both losing their matches.

Many might think the friendship may have soured with Watson’s decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf last year, but they would be wrong.

“We talked as much as we did,” Simpson said at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “I mean, you certainly don't cross paths near as much. I'm missing him, but it's just it's kind of like anything in life, you change jobs, essentially, you're not going to see and get those touch points as much as you used to.”

Simpson, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., thinks if they lived in the same city it may be easier to stay in touch, but with Watson in Pensacola, Fla., plus the fact they don’t see each other on Tour anymore makes matters more difficult and requiring more effort.

“I got to do a good job of staying in touch with him and Dowd (Simpson’s wife) with Angie (Watson’s wife)," Simpson said. "So we're trying, but it doesn't help that we don't live in the same city.”

Following last May's PGA Championship at Southern Hills, the 44-year-old Watson had surgery on his right knee for a torn meniscus, which sidelined him for the remainder of the 2022 season.

During his rehab, Watson joined LIV Golf. He was first a cheerleader but in Mexico in two weeks he will be a participant.

In a warmup this week at the Saudi International, Watson missed the cut.

“I think it's something that makes a lot of sense for him to do,” Simpson said of his friend's move. “The only sad part for me is I would have loved to see him be a captain of a Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup team because I think he would be an amazing captain. Him being in the position he’s in as a (LIV Golf team) owner and a captain, he’s kind of in a sweet spot.”