“In golf, like football, greatness isn’t just in the highlights—it’s in the vibe.” That’s the gospel according to J.J. Watt, the NFL legend who swapped sacks for sand traps this week, trading his Texans jersey for a Burnley hat and a Masters badge. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a 6’5”, 288-pound defensive end walks into Augusta National, buckle up. Spoiler: It involves pimento cheese, peach ice cream, and a whole lot of “Holy heck, is that J.J. Swatt?!”
The Verdict – Augusta’s Magic, Through Watt’s Eyes Let’s start with the tweet that broke the internet: “Masters Review: Lives up to every single ounce of hype.” For a guy who once racked up 114.5 sacks and three Defensive Player of the Year awards, that’s high praise. But Watt wasn’t just spectating—he was absorbing. From Rory McIlroy’s six-birdie tear to Bryson DeChambeau’s redemption arc, Watt soaked it in like Rae’s Creek after a blue-dye makeover.
Masters Review:
Lives up to every single ounce of hype.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 12, 2025
Augusta’s lore is no secret, but post-Hurricane Helene, the course’s comeback felt poetic. Greenkeepers patched divots with military precision, fairways glowed like emeralds, and the absence of phones? “No phones allowed,” Watt joked, channeling Jurassic Park’s Jeff Goldblum: ‘I believe the universe will find a way.’ For a man who once said, “Success isn’t owned—it’s leased, and rent is due every day,” Augusta’s perfection hit different.
Then there’s the food. Watt, ever the everyman, crowd-sourced his $10 menu: “Pimento cheese? Peach ice cream? Y’all better not steer me wrong.” Classic J.J.—half gourmet critic, half tailgate king.
Watt’s To-Do list – From NFL icon to masters rookie
Rewind to Watt’s pre-Masters plea: “First time ever heading to Augusta… What are the must-do’s?” Fans flooded his mentions like a Texans blitz. “Sit in Amen Corner till your soul hums,” one wrote. “Find the ghost of Arnie Palmer,” another quipped. But Watt? He kept it real. “Playing the course Monday morning… Current O/U: 152.5.”
First time ever heading to Augusta for The Masters this weekend.
If you’ve been:
What are the must-do’s?
If you haven’t been:
What would be on your wish list to do/see?
Sidenote: Playing the course Monday morning and could not possibly be more excited. Current O/U: 152.5
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 9, 2025
True to form, Watt tackled Augusta like a rookie minicamp. No phones? No problem. “I’ll be the large man with the Burnley hat on,” he teased, nodding to his soccer fandom. And when he finally teed off post-tournament, swinging clubs he hadn’t touched in a year, it wasn’t about scorecards—it was about legacy. “Champions are built on a thousand invisible mornings,” he once said. This? This was a visible afternoon, all joy, zero pressure.
But let’s not skip the traditions. Augusta’s chair rule—drop one early, roam free, return to your spot untouched—mirrored Watt’s career: set your mark, grind, reclaim your throne. “When it’s me against you, you know in your head whether you worked hard enough,” he’d say. At Augusta, the chairs wait. So do legends.
J.J. Watt didn’t just attend the Masters—he lived it. From $1.50 sandwiches to whispering “You like that?!” after sinking a putt (maybe), he proved retirement’s just another red zone to conquer. As McIlroy chased his green jacket, Watt chased something simpler: the pure, unscripted thrill of a new arena. Cue the azaleas.
P.S. If you spot a giant in a Burnley hat, tell him the peach ice cream’s on us.
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