SPORTS

Passed over to play, Watson added to US team as vice captain

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Bubba Watson smiles as he walks to the green on the first hole during the second round of play at the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

Bubba Watson smiles as he walks to the green on the first hole during the second round of play at the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

United States captain Davis Love III listens to the PGA president talk about Arnold Palmer before a press conference for the Ryder Cup golf tournament Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

Bubba Watson will be at the Ryder Cup, even if it's not exactly the way he imagined it.

U.S. captain Davis Love III announced Monday that Watson has been added to the team as a fifth vice captain. That after the two-time Masters champion, ranked No. 7 in the world, failed to qualify as a player on points or persuade Love to choose him with one of four captain's picks. Watson had played on the last three U.S. teams.

Ryan Moore, who lost the Tour Championship to Rory McIlroy in a playoff Sunday, was named as the 12th and last player on the U.S. team several hours later. After learning he'd been passed over, Watson repeated his desire to be a part of the team.

Love said: "It was an incredible gesture. We're thrilled to have him."