Watson was born in Bagdad, Florida. He played golf for Faulkner State Community College in Alabama, where he was a junior college All-American. After that he played golf at the University of Georgia in 2000 and 2001. While at Georgia, he helped lead the Bulldogs to a Southeastern Conference Championship in 2000.

Watson turned professional in 2003 and joined the Nationwide Tour where he would play until 2005. He finished 21st on the Nationwide Tour's money list in 2005, making him the last player to qualify for the 2006 PGA Tour. As a rookie on the PGA Tour, he earned $1,019,264 (90th overall) and led the PGA Tour in driving distance (319.6 yards). His longest ever drive on the PGA Tour was a 416 yard drive at the 2010 Sony Open.

Watson played well at the 2007 U.S. Open. He was in the final group on the Saturday after shooting rounds of 70-71 (+1) at Oakmont Country Club. He was one stroke off the lead at the start of the third round but then slipped, shooting 74 (+4) in the third and fourth rounds. He finished in a tie for fifth.

Watson claimed his first PGA Tour win on June 27, 2010 in Cromwell, Connecticut at the Travelers Championship in a two-hole sudden death playoff, beating Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank. Watson tearfully dedicated the win to his parents, specifically his father who is battling cancer.

Watson was runner-up to Martin Kaymer at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, after losing a playoff that was initially also going to include Dustin Johnson before he was given a two stroke penalty. Watson led the playoff after the first hole but Kaymer eventually defeated him by one stroke on the third and final hole.

Watson had his own clothing line called Bubba Golf at the former Steve & Barry's. He was invited on the Ellen Degeneres show after he sent her a video of a golf trick shot he completed for her for her birthday.

PGA Tour playoff record (1-1)

DNP = did not playCUT = missed the half-way cut"T" = tiedGreen background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.