Lexi Thompson, Bubba Watson ready to rekindle Solheim Cup aura this week at QBE Shootout

Lexi Thompson and the rest of the U.S. Solheim Cup team were told before the competition that there was going to be a surprise guest.

Little did they know it was going to be two-time major champion Bubba Watson, who spent the whole week supporting the players.

“It was amazing,” Thompson said Wednesday at the QBE Shootout, where none other than Watson will be her playing partner in the 12-team event. “It was very shocking to have Bubba Watson there. They said a surprise guest and I’m like, ‘All right, wow, that’s not who I expected.’

“To have him there alongside us, supporting us, giving us advice whenever we needed it, it was truly amazing. We weren’t expecting it at all, but just to have the support there that week, that week’s so intense, and to have somebody like Bubba out there supporting us and helping us out along the way, there’s nothing like it.”

Watson didn’t qualify for the Tour Championship so he ended up having that week off, and he also has been a lifetime Ping player; Ping founder Karsten Solheim helped create the biennial competition.

Watson also happened to know captain Pat Hurst and vice-captains Angela Stanford, Michelle Wie West, and Stacy Lewis.

“For me, it was something I’ve always wanted to do,” Watson said. “It’s one of those bucket list moments.”

“I called Pat and asked if I could come and hang out. And it was a little nerve-wracking at first. She was like ‘Yeah, come in the locker room.’ I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can come in the locker room, I’m not sure, I don’t know what the rules are on this.’”

Lexi Thompson putts during the QBE Shootout Pro-Am on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla. Caitlyn Jordan/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida

Watson was even there each day for the 5 a.m. bus rides, Thompson said. His wife is a former WNBA player and they have a 7-year-old daughter “who one day’s going to want to do something; probably against the guys at some point, she’s just that mean.”

Even though the Europeans ended up winning, the experience was something he will never forget.

“It was an amazing dream come true,” he said. “And Pat and the ladies took me in and they let me be part of the team.”

Watson hasn’t played since the Northern Trust Open in August, and also has split with caddie Ted Scott, so he made no promises on the status of his game.

“I took some time off watching the kids,” said Watson, who will have Gabe Sauer, from his driving range in Pensacola, as his caddie this week. “My son started playing tackle football, so being home, wanted to be a dad.

“Started practicing a couple weeks ago, so looking forward to it. There might be some loose shots somewhere, but that’s why I have a good partner.”

From left, Bubba Watson, Jessica Korda, Ally Ewing, Megan Khang, Morgan Pressel and Nelly Korda approach the seventh green during practice for the Solheim Cup golf tournament, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The pairing also continues a catching up between Watson and Thompson’s brother, Nick, also a tour pro, who is on the bag for her this week. He also caddied for his sister at the Solheim Cup. Watson said Nick was his wife’s favorite player back when they were playing the now-Korn Ferry Tour.

“Having him on the bag and spending time with him at the Solheim Cup, it was good to catch up because I haven’t seen him in a few years,” Watson said. “Just brings back memories. And now playing with her, watched her game, admired her game, watched her ability. Pretty special. To be able to see firsthand is going to be a treat.”

While Thompson got to see Watson’s support and got to know him a little bit at the Solheim Cup, this week will be a different experience.

“I’ve never actually seen him play in person, so I’m just happy to be here and honored that I got the invite back,” said Thompson, who is playing in her fifth Shootout in six years after missing last year’s since it conflicted with the U.S. Women’s Open.

Greg Hardwig is a sports reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter: @NDN_Ghardwig, email him at ghardwig@naplesnews.com. Support local journalism with this special subscription offer at https://cm.naplesnews.com/specialoffer/