Final Shot with Bubba Watson

Alex Jenkins talks to the divisive two-time Masters champion about his win in Shanghai at the end of 2014, his goals for this year and his relationship with the media

"My career will be a lot better if I’ve won a few outside the States"

You said after winning the WGC-HSBC Champions that winning outside the US was really important to you. Why was that and do you think you'll be playing more golf overseas as a result?

That's a great question. I just want to win. I've won in the US a few times but 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, means had to get used to jetlag, had to play golf in many different places at a high level. It's easier here [in the US] to go from state to state to play golf, than having to travel 16 hours by plane and learn a different kind of grass, different conditions. So for me on a personal level it means that my career will be a lot better if I’ve won a few outside the States.

I mean Tiger [Woods] has won a tonne in the States and he's also won a tonne outside the States. Jack Nicklaus - you can go through the greats of the game - they've all won outside the US. So for me it would be a positive in my career if I can win a few outside.

What do you make of the quality of Asian golfers that you've come across and are there any players in particular that have impressed you?

Ryo Ishikawa has been playing on Tour for like eight years and he's still young. His short game for me is amazing. I believe Ryo, as young as he is, could be a great talent in this game. He is learning different cultures having moved over to the US but I think he's one of the special talents.

Hideki Matsuyama: he's a special player. He's proven at a young age that he can compete in the US and back in his homeland.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat - did I say his name right? Before he got injured you saw his name popping up a lot. He's proved he can play in the big events. He was showing how good a talent he is.

Those three stand out in my mind right away. I think they're all young enough to improve and become bigger names and contend a lot more in the big events.

You're known for your charitable involvements. How active are you in terms of helping junior golf?

Yes, here in the US I give money to junior golf but I also hold my own tournament where I show up and watch the kids play. At the tournament in Japan [the Dunlop Phoenix event in December], I gave my money - it wasn't very much, I think it was like US$10,000 - I gave them my prize money for junior golf in Japan.

But yes, I’m very active in trying to help junior golf all across the world. The game of golf has given me so much, so why not give back and try to help other kids follow their dreams like I have.

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