Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, spent an enjoyable day playing golf alongside two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. The outing, featuring moments of friendly competition and skill, included Larson catching marshmallows hit by the seasoned golf professional, highlighting a lighter side of the sports stars’ interaction.
Bubba Watson is a prominent American golfer known for his powerful left-handed swing and inventive shot-making ability. Turning professional in 2002, Watson gained widespread recognition after winning his first PGA Tour title at the 2010 Travelers Championship. He went on to secure two Masters Tournament victories, in 2012 and 2014, solidifying his status as one of golf’s standout players.
One of Watson’s most memorable moments came during the 2012 Masters when he won in a dramatic playoff, famously executing a hooked wedge shot from thick pine straw. By 2015, Watson reached a career-high ranking as second in the world, accumulating 12 PGA Tour wins over his professional journey.
Fans caught a glimpse of the friendly interaction when IndyCar on Fox shared a video of Watson and Larson enjoying their golf day together. Kyle Larson’s reputation as one of NASCAR’s versatile stars, known for his speed and adaptability across different racing formats, complements the star power Watson brings from the world of golf.
In the current NASCAR season, Larson leads the Cup Series standings, having recently claimed his third victory at the Kansas Speedway. There, he dominated by leading 221 of the 267 laps and sweeping all three stages of the race. His 32nd career Cup Series win placed him alongside Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett on the all-time NASCAR wins list.
Kyle Larson Reflects on His View of Formula 1’s Popularity Versus Racing Excitement
During an interview with Pat McAfee, Kyle Larson shared his honest perspective on Formula 1 racing. While he acknowledged F1’s massive global following and cultural significance, he expressed that the racing itself does not match the excitement seen in American motorsports.
“The racing, the racing, is not what we are accustomed to in America. Like, I think you’re there. It’s crazy how big it is because, yeah, you’re right. Like, it’s not super exciting, but I think it’s the stuff outside of it, the celebrities that are there, the engineering, the money, just everything about that, you know, the big brands, you know, on the cars and stuff.” [01:18 onwards]
—Kyle Larson
“But, you know, I feel like NASCAR and IndyCar here in America, like, you can’t find much more exciting racing what we have here, so I’m fortunate to get to run both of them, but I would definitely never turn down the opportunity to go,” Larson added.
—Kyle Larson
Larson highlighted that much of Formula 1’s appeal stems from its glamorous environment, including celebrity presence, technological innovation, and major brand involvement rather than the on-track action itself. He contrasted this with NASCAR and IndyCar racing, which he believes offer fans some of the most thrilling and competitive racing experiences in the United States.
