Who Is Bubba Watson’s Caddie?

Get to know Bubba Watson's bagman a little better

Who is Bubba Watson's caddy
Bubba Watson and caddy Gabe Sauer
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bubba Watson is one of the game's most imaginative players and it takes a strong caddie to work for the two-time winner of The Masters who quite frankly sees no shot like any other golfer.

But who now carries the bag for the American? We take a look here.

Who Is Bubba Watson's Caddie?

Bubba's current caddie is Gabe Sauer. He caddied for him for a first time at the QBE Shootout in December when Bubba played with Lexi Thomson and finished in ninth place.

Since Sauer's been on the bag, Bubba recorded a second place in the PIF Saudi International in February, finishing just a shot behind Harold Varner III.

Gabe Sauer used to run Bubba's driving range at the Pensacola Golf Center. He started out caddying for Bubba on a trial basis but the pair obviously get on well and the job may now be a more permanent one - Sauer has his job listed on "linkedin" as "Professional Caddie For Bubba Watson."

Bubba had Ted Scott on the bag since 2007.

Ted was formerly Paul Azinger's caddie and was with Bubba for 15 years through his Masters wins, Ryder Cup appearances and Tour victories. We spoke to Ted Scott a couple of years ago to find out what it's like caddying for such an enigmatic player.

What is it like to caddie for Bubba?

It’s like an assortment of chocolates from Valentine’s Day – you never know what you’re going to get! There’s a lot of goodness in there, but also a couple of bad ones.

Related: 12 Things You Didn't Know About Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson's caddie Ted Scott in 2007 (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

How do you club someone who shapes the ball like he does?

Over time I have learned to see what he sees, just not as well as he does.

He’s such a feel player and I will try and pick up on his vibe, and he will ask me to see if it goes along with what he’s thinking.

Mainly, it’s trying to give him confidence in what he’s thinking and feeling.

Related: Bubba Watson What's In The Bag?

I am definitely not in charge. I have seen other caddies say, “No, it’s an 8-iron” because the player is hitting a stock shot. With Bubba, it’s more about trying to get him comfortable.

What are the most memorable shots you’ve witnessed?

In the US Open at Congressional he hit an 8-iron 195 yards to a tucked pin, knocked it in there to 5ft and made a nasty little putt to make the cut.

He hit a driver off the deck in Maui – that’s probably the most impressive one.

We had 308 yards to the hole and the ball was on about a seven-degree downslope, and he had a seven-degree driver.

He said, “Do you like driver?” and I was like “Driver?! What? No, what are you asking me?” I didn’t know what to say.

He said he was thinking about hitting a big old slice, so I said, “I don’t even know what you’re asking me, I’m just going to go stand over here. If you think you can hit it, I believe in you, but I can’t help you.”

He proceeded to hit a 50-yard slice.

Whenever he needs a shot he seems to come up with something amazing that you couldn’t even imagine. It’s kind of freaky.

Why does Augusta National suit Bubba’s game so much?

Bubba loves visual stimulation on a golf course – when it’s kind of dull looking it’s hard for him to feel it; it doesn’t really tell him what to do.

When you go to Augusta, it is such a bright place – green grass contrasting with pine straw and the bright white sand.

Then a lot of the holes dogleg from right to left and he likes to cut the ball off the tee, and he likes to die putts into the hole.

Everything about that place brings out the creativity in him. It suits his eye – he just comes alive over there.

Related: Who Is Bubba Watson's Wife?

Bubba Watson hooks it out of the trees on the 10th hole at Augusta in his playoff victory over Louis Oosthuizen in 2012. (Photo by Al Tielemans /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

How does Bubba handle the nerves created by big events?

If you’re scared of snakes but you hold them enough, you get used to the feelings and fearful element. That’s what these guys do. Their hands shake when they tee up the ball in Majors and Ryder Cups, but they do it week in, week out so they are used to it. The average amateur doesn’t experience that enough to get comfortable with it.

Related: Who Is Bubba Watson’s Coach?

Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?