Bubba Watson can win the 2013 Masters if Tiger Woods “gets sick”

Bubba Watson hopes to defend his 2012 Masters title next week, but to do so he’ll have to overtake the hottest golfer on the planet -- a healthy, resurgent, and odds-on favorite to don a green jacket on April 14, Tiger Woods. So when Bubba left his hovercraft golf cart in the parking lot to sit down for another in a series of ongoing interviews with Piers Morgan Tuesday night, naturally the topic of how to beat the world No. 1 arose.

The host of “Piers Morgan Live” wondered what magic the big-hitting lefty, who pulled off an electrifying playoff win last year at Augusta with an amazing hook shot from the trees, could pull out of his bag to beat Woods.

“Hopefully he gets sick,” Watson said with a laugh. “I don’t think anybody knows how to beat him. It’s one of those things where we want to go out there and play our best. I’m going to go out and play my best, and hopefully it’s good enough to beat him. And hopefully he’s not on his best.”

As for those endless “Is he back?” questions, Watson left no doubt on which side of that query he comes down. He also credited Woods’ new girlfriend, Lindsey Vonn, with helping the 14-time major champ get his life back on track.

“Right now, Tiger is playing so good. He’s making all the putts, his mental game’s right where it needs to be, he’s playing, he’s performing. He’s No. 1 in the world again, so obviously he’s going to be tough to beat when we get to Augusta,” Watson said. “You’ve got to think that his life is settling down, his new golf swing’s obviously working pretty good, his knee is all healed up. Obviously, he’s in love and he’s having a good time.

“He’s enjoying life again,” Watson added, “so I think he’s back to where he was.”