Jet-setting Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, wants to play at Rio Olympics

Bubba Watson of the US reacts on the fourth hole during the second round at 116th US Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA, 18 June 2016. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

CROMWELL, Conn. // Bubba Watson says he's 100 percent committed to playing in the Olympics in August, assuming he qualifies for the team.

The two-time Masters champion was in Connecticut on Monday promoting the Travelers Championship, which will be played Aug. 4-7, the week before the Olympic men’s golf tournament.

Watson said as defending champion he’s committed to playing in Connecticut, which comes the week after the PGA Championship in New Jersey.

He won’t be able to participate in the Olympic opening ceremony, which will occur the same day as the second round in Cromwell.

“I looked into it, there’s no way to get a jet to get there and back,” he said.

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But he said he won’t let a busy schedule, the Zika virus or anything else keep him from playing in Rio de Janeiro.

Watson and his wife, Angie, have two adopted children, but are unable to conceive. He said for that reason the virus hasn’t been a factor in deciding whether to travel to Brazil.

As for fatigue, he said he took some time off earlier in the year to make sure his body would be ready.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “My wife played professional basketball and she missed out on the Olympics because of a knee injury the one time she had a chance to make the team.

“So for me, it’s an amazing sporting event that I get to be inside the ropes at. I get to see some of the athletes I’ve always wanted to see. I get to go to some of the events I’ve always wanted to watch and then I get to play in it.”

Watson said he’s already purchased tickets to watch fencing, team handball and at least one basketball game.

“My caddy and my manager, they don’t get to go where I get to go as an athlete,” he said. “So I had to buy tickets and I’ll be sitting in the stands just like everybody else.”

Watson said he believes playing in live competition at the Travelers will serve him better in preparation for the Olympics than traveling to Rio and practicing for a week.

He said the only issue now is playing well enough over the next few weeks to secure his spot on the team.

“It’s three weeks away from announcing the team,” he said. “It’s going to be very hard for two people to pass me and knock me out.”

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