Notebook: Bubba Watson withdraws from Bay Hill after friend's death

 

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Masters champion Bubba Watson withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Wednesday because a childhood friend died unexpectedly.

 

Watson told the PGA Tour that the friend died Tuesday night.

 

''I have chosen to withdraw so I can attend the funeral and pay respect to my friend and his family,'' Watson said in a statement.

 

Watson is No. 2 in the world, leaving the tournament with four of the top five players in the world ranking.

 

Watson will try to become only the fourth player to defend his title at Augusta National.

 

A year ago, he withdrew after an 83 in the opening round because of allergies. A few weeks later, he took out a membership at Bay Hill.

 

Watson was replaced by Kevin Kisner, who will play the opening two rounds with Brooks Koepka and Adam Scott.

 

KING'S ADVICE: Arnold Palmer had some simple advice for Tiger Woods to turn his game around: Practice and regain confidence.

 

Woods is missing the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second straight year. He had a back injury in 2014 and feels he's not ready to compete this year. Palmer said Woods called him to apologize for his absence, though contrary to one reporter's suggestion, the phone conversation did not last one hour.

 

''Well, first of all, whoever told you it was an hour is full of (it),'' Palmer said in a jocular tone that caused the room to break out in laughter.

 

Woods, an eight-time winner at Bay Hill, has played only 47 holes in two tournaments this year, which included a career-high 82 in the Phoenix Open and a chipping display that is simply shocking to watch.

 

Woods has played six PGA Tour events in the last year. He has missed the cut three times, withdrawn twice and finished 69th in the British Open.

 

''Tiger ... I've known him since he was 3 feet high, and he's a great player,'' Palmer said. ''He was a very talented young kid with his father instructing him. For me to tell you or tell Tiger what he could do, there's only one thing I can say and that's practice and confidence. Regain the confidence he had when he was starting out and that was what made him what he is and that's the way he'll get it back – just regain the confidence and the ability to hit the golf ball.''

 

Palmer also said Woods should find a coach that he has confidence in ''and go work on his game. And that's my best advice.''

 

PALMER'S SHOULDER: Arnold Palmer slipped on carpet in his home last December and dislocated his right shoulder. He still is in physical therapy, with the Masters quickly approaching.

 

The King isn't playing, but he is determined to hit the ceremonial tee shot with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

 

''Maybe this week or next week I'm going to start hitting the ball,'' he said, ''and I have every intention of hitting the first drive at Augusta.''

 

LACK OF COURSE KNOWLEDGE: Sam Saunders said he began to appreciate everything his grandfather – Arnold Palmer – did for golf when he began playing top amateur events and read up on the history, most of it involving Palmer.

 

That doesn't mean he knows everything.

 

Saunders has moved to Colorado with his wife and two sons, and he talked about playing one course in Denver called Bear Creek.

 

''We were teeing off and I said, 'Who built this?''' Saunders said. ''And they went, 'Um, your grandfather.'''

 

HAPPY HARRINGTON: Padraig Harrington sat at his locker and was handed a stack of Honda Classic flags to sign.

 

He won the Honda Classic earlier this month, his first win on a major tour since the PGA Championship in 2008 at Oakland Hills.

 

''The signings have doubled, tripled,'' Harrington said.

 

He feigned frustration, though the smile told a different story. Someone mentioned that he was all too happy to bear such a burden.

 

''Absolutely,'' he said. ''This is good.''