Thursday 4 December 2014 14:25, UK
Bubba Watson is relishing another chance to prove himself on foreign soil when he takes on a high-quality field at next week’s Thailand Golf Championship.
The Masters champion enjoyed his first victory outside the United States last month when he clinched the WGC-HSBC Champions title in Shanghai in thrilling style, holing a bunker escape for eagle at the 72nd hole before nailing a 20-foot birdie putt to edge out Tim Clark in a play-off.
Watson will now look to cap another excellent season on a high note as he joins the likes of defending champion Sergio Garcia and US Open champion Martin Kaymer in Bangkok next week.
The big-hitting left-hander was runner-up in his first appearance at Amata Spring Country Club two years ago and is confident of going one better this year.
"My expectation is, really, winning," said world No 4 Watson. "I want to win outside the US. I won in China this year but I'd like to back that up with another win.
"I just think that people look at your career differently if you've won outside of your own country. It means you've had to travel, to get used to jetlag, had to play golf in many different places at a high level.
"Tiger Woods has won a ton in the States and he's also won a ton outside the States. Jack Nicklaus as well, you can go through the greats of the game, they've all won outside the US, or outside of Europe, or outside Asia.
"Wherever they come from they've all won outside of there. So for me it would be a positive in my career if I can win a few outside."
Garcia collected his only title of 2013 in the event last December, making a hole-in-one at the eighth in his final-round 65 as he cruised to a four-shot victory.
Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team will also be represented by Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Jamie Donaldson and Victor Dubuisson, provided the Frenchman recovers from a back problem that forced him to pull out of the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Home hopes will be carried by the evergreen Thongchai Jaidee, while fellow veterans Ernie Els and Darren Clarke also add major-winning pedigree to the Asian Tour’s flagship tournament.
You can watch all four days of the Thailand Golf Championship on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf. Coverage begins at 6am on Thursday.
