Bubba Watson compares himself to Jack Nicklaus with Scottie Scheffler claim

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson says Scottie Scheffler has LIV Golf to thank for his huge PGA Tour earnings over the last couple of years. 

Scheffler stepped into the winner's circle on the North American circuit for the very first time at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open. 

He received a cheque for $1,476,000 and has been an unstoppable force since then, winning two Masters titles, numerous PGA Tour events and a gold medal. 

To date, Scheffler's on-course earnings before the FedEx St. Jude Championship stand at $70,713,920. 

For context, that doesn't include bonuses. 

In 2024 alone, Scheffler has surpassed $28,000,000. 

Scheffler's rise to the top of the game coincided with the introduction of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. 

The noisy breakaway tour is celebrating its 100th round at The Greenbrier this week having begun in June 2022. 

Watson was asked to reflect on LIV's impact. 

Unsurprisingly, Watson declared LIV's impact has been a positive one. 

"We've changed the face of golf," Watson told reporters. 

"This is exciting times," he added.  

"When I think about going through the motions of deciding I wanted to come to LIV, I thought about the 10-year plan, on paper, what the goals were, and it's met my expectations. 

"It's been better than that. We've changed the face of golf. So to be on that side of history is pretty special"

Watson compared the current shift at the top of the men's game to the 1968 breakaway of the PGA Tour from the PGA of America spearheaded by Jack Nicklaus. 

He added: "I know years ago when the PGA Tour made that same decision, and when I'm saying years ago, we're talking '50s, '40s, whatever year Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and them made the other tour, so we're a part of that. 

"It's an honour and a privilege to say I'm a part of that."

Of Scheffler, Watson added: "Scottie Scheffler has made a lot of money this year because of the changes that we've started putting in place. 

"I believe that golf is actually growing in the right spot, and I think team golf is here to stay. 

"So I'm excited for the next few events, the next few years, and hopefully the RangeGoats can beat the Crushers."

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