On April 8, 2012 Bubba Watson became the latest Christian athlete to achieve top celebrity status. As many Christians were celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the grave, Bubba Watson's Masters' ranking was also rising. In the final playoff of the 2012 Masters, Bubba Watson came from two shots back to win. Was Bubba Watson's Masters' win good for Christianity?
Christian Sports Celebrities
Ever since Kurt Warner won the Super Bowl, top Christian athletes have prominently proclaimed their faith. A previous article I wrote focuses on Jeremy Lin's ascension to this class of top Christian athletes. Before Jeremy Line became a well-known Christian athlete, Tim Tebow's prayers were being imitated. Now, the limelight of media attention is focusing on Bubba Watson's Masters' win, his Christian faith and his newly adopted son.
Bubba Watson's Christian Faith
Bubba Watson's Christian faith is most easily seen on his Twitter profile. It reads, "Christian. Husband. Daddy. Pro Golfer. Owner of General Lee 1." In this statement, fans see Bubba Watson's priorities. First he is a Christian, then a husband and father. Bubba Watson's Masters' win ranks just above his car, the General Lee 1. His priorities are well-defined and properly ordered, which is rare among pro athletes.
Bubba Watson: Masters and Beyond
Both the PGA and the evangelical community hope that Bubba Watson's Masters' win was a launching point for his career as a professional golfer. He has beaten the best golfers in the world and won the Masters. Bubba Watson could become the next top celebrity, if he continues to win.
The PGA Tour would love to see Bubba Watson's Masters' win be the beginning of a long, successful career for him. In the fallout of Tiger Wood's scandals, the PGA Tour is still looking for a spokesperson. Bubba Watson's personality could draw fans back into golf. If he can win, the PGA will help Bubba Watson become the next face of golf.
As a popular Christian celebrity, Bubba Watson could do great things for evangelical Christianity. He appears to be solidly grounded. As Romans 8:28 states, "God works all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Winning the Masters, for Bubba Watson, could be the start to a work of God. If it is, then he could help the evangelical community, as well as the PGA Tour.
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Scott Brodie enjoys playing golf. He has reviewed golf courses and writes on the latest news about the PGA and Masters.
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