• World rankings

Bubba to rest ahead of Open challenge

ESPN staff
June 25, 2012
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Masters champion Bubba Watson is looking forward to taking a few weeks off before returning to action at the Open Championship next month.

Watson, who shot to golf's forefront with a memorable victory at Augusta National in April, had the chance to win the Travelers Championship on Sunday - but ultimately came up a shot shy as Australian Marc Leishman claimed victory at the PGA Tour event.

Watson, who remained world No. 6 despite the performance, is now hoping to enjoy some time with his family - including recently adopted son Caleb - before attempting to win his second major of the year at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

"[You'll see me next at the] British Open," Watson said on Sunday. "I got a lot of stuff to do at the new house. Buying a new house, got a lot of adoption stuff to do, got a lot of paperwork to go through with that.

"So I've got time off, got three weeks off now to hopefully get all that stuff done."

Watson has admitted that he has found it difficult to adjust to the spotlight after becoming a major champion, but feels his game is starting to come back into form.

"All this stuff is starting to settle down, even though the fans are still out there supporting me," he noted. "I'm starting to get back to just playing golf again and practising and getting used to my situation."

There was little movement in this week's world rankings - with Leishman moving up nearly 100 places to 78th in the world after his victory.

On the European Tour, BMW International champion Danny Willett climbed to No. 115 from 190th after outlasting Marcus Fraser in a play-off in Germany.

World Rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 3. Lee Westwood (ENG), 4. Tiger Woods (USA), 5. Webb Simpson (USA), 6. Bubba Watson (USA), 7. Matt Kuchar (USA), 8. Jason Dufner (USA), 9. Justin Rose (ENG), 10. Hunter Mahan (USA), 11. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 12. Steve Stricker (USA), 13. Dustin Johnson (USA), 14. Phil Mickelson (USA), 15. Martin Kaymer (GER), 16. Adam Scott (USA), 17. Charl Schwartzel (SAF), 18. Zach Johnson (USA), 19. Rickie Fowler (USA), 20. Louis Oosthuizen (SAF).

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