These Guys Are Popular: Bubba's Incident Opens Up Stalking Story Floodgates

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Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch recounts Bubba Watson's stalking story and talks to other players who have been followed, or in one case, know of a brazen attempted murder in Augusta that apparently went unreported **that really did happen.

Even lesser-known players have been chased after they leave the course.

“It’s happened a couple times to me,” said Ben Curtis, best known for winning the 2003 British Open. “One was at the U.S. Open in New York.”

Curtis said a fan trailed him relentlessly, even following him into the hotel for an autograph.

The incident with Watson did not surprise Curtis.

“I can see it here. This town is crazy about sports,” he said. “They get a little obsessive. There are no casual fans here. They’re all in.”

Stewart Cink, who won the 2009 British Open, said that he has heard of worse things than being followed in a car.

“Nothing like that has ever happened to me, but it doesn’t shock me,” Cink said. “One year, a player at the Masters got bullet holes in his courtesy car when he was in it, driving.”

Cink thinks the tour eventually may have to remove the sticker labels that typically include the tournament name, car brand and corporate sponsor.

Or just do away with courtesy cars altogether! Wait, did I just type those treasonous words?