Watson: If I reach No. 1 in the world, I’ll retire

Bubba Watson won for the ninth time in his career on Sunday at the Hero World Challenge. Based on Watson’s own prior musings, that would mean he is one win away from retiring.

You see, in the past, Watson has said that he’ll walk away from golf if he wins 10 times. He’s playing next week in the Thailand Golf Championship. Were he to win that, he’d hit 10. Asked about that prospect – and following through on it – Watson clarified what he is counting on the way to 10 wins.

“Ten U.S. victories,” Watson clarified. “I don’t count this as a PGA Tour victory. It counts as a victory. It’s very big for my career personally, but I don’t see it as 10.”

The Hero World Challenge, while recognized by the PGA Tour, isn’t an official event. Watson has eight PGA Tour wins, taking the Travelers Championship in June.

Watson also added another condition for premature retirement.

“If I ever become No. 1 in the world, I’m walking away,” Watson said. “I’m going to walk away on top. But let’s be honest, nobody here’s voting on that, right? Everybody thinks I’m not going to do that.”

The two-time Masters winner came into the week No. 4 in the Official World Golf Ranking, and he remains there, behind Rory McIlroy, with the victory.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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