Bubba Watson: Masters winner to miss Sawgrass

Masters champion Bubba Watson will miss the Players Championship at Sawgrass after taking a month off from golf.

Watson, 33, won his first major last month when he beat Louis Oosthuizen in a play-off at Augusta.

He joins Darren Clarke, Paul Lawrie and Charl Schwartzel in missing the £5.8m tournament at Sawgrass next weekend.

Watson said on Twitter:  "I plan to take at least a month off. The Players is one of the best weeks of the year, but I'll be bonding with my son."

Bubba Watson factfile

Born: 5 November 1978, Bagdad, Florida

2003: Turns pro after starring for University of Georgia

2005: Joins the Nationwide Tour and finishes 21st on the money list in his first season

2007: Finishes tied-fifth at US Open

2010: Wins first PGA Tour event, Travelers Championship, loses PGA Championship play-off to Germany's Martin Kaymer

2011: Wins Farmers Insurance Open and Zurich Classic of New Orleans

2012: Beats Louis Oosthuizen in a play-off to win the Masters

The Players is golf's richest tournament, with South Korea's KJ Choi winning just over £1m by beating American David Toms in last year's event.

Danes Thomas Bjorn and Anders Hansen, Korean KT Kim and Americans Anthony Kim, Paul Goydos and Steve Marino are all missing the tournament, which starts on Thursday, 10 May.

Watson wishes to spend more time at home with his wife and newly adopted baby son.

He added: "I'm sorry to disappoint fans, but the Players has one of the best fields all year, and the tournament is more than fine without me.

"I feel blessed and excited that I get to spend quality time with Caleb and Angie in the next few weeks.

"I am lucky to play golf for a living, it allows me to pick my own schedule."

Watson is currently ranked fourth in the world.