Bubba Watson suffered a finger injury, prompting him to beg off from the International Series Philippines (ISP) presented by BingoPlus set to start next week at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

In a social media post on Thursday, the 46-year-old American shotmaker announced that he underwent a minor surgery to remove a lesion on his finger that would sideline him in the coming International Series events in the Philippines and Hong Kong this month.

He said he developed a small growth on his left ring finger that is causing him pain and affecting his ability to grip a golf club.

His doctor confirmed the growth as a “lesion” and recommended the two-time Masters champion to have a minor procedure. The RangeGoats GC captain followed doctor's orders and had it removed.

Watson is now resting and recovering to get himself back to full fitness ahead of the new LIV Golf League season, which begins in Saudi Arabia from 5 to 7 February 2026.

He will now have to miss scheduled consecutive events this month and the remainder of the Asian Tour's International Series, which offers a pathway to the prestigious LIV Golf League.

"Life/golf update," Watson said with a photo of his bandaged finger and a graphic with more information about his injury.

"In recent weeks, I developed a small growth on my left ring finger that has been causing me pain and affecting my ability to grip a golf club the way I want.”

"My doctors referred to it as a 'lesion' and recommended a minor procedure to have it removed, which I have done. Because of the location and depth of the cuts, which are around a joint, the procedure is expected to prevent me from playing golf for up to eight weeks while I recover and rehab my finger.”

“I had been looking forward to playing the International Series Philippines and the Link Hong Kong Open this month and I'm disappointed that I will miss those events. But I'm glad to know this is only a short-term setback.”

"I would like to thank the tournaments for being so understanding of the situation. I am grateful for their support and well wishes for my recovery. I look forward to getting back to form and ready to play in time for the 2026 LIV Golf season with my RangeGoats."

With Watson out of the highly-anticipated, $2-million golf event in the Philippines, the spotlight will be on other stars like two-time Major winner and former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and former Masters champion Patrick Reed as well as Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman, and Dean Burmester.

Local stars like three-time Asian Tour champion Migiel Tabuena are also expected to make their presence felt as they defend their home turf in the country’s most prestigious golf event since the Johnnie Walker Classic 30 years ago.

Other Filipinos seeing action are Sean Ramos, Aidric Chan, Angelo Que, Keanu Jahns, Rupert Zaragosa, Carl Corpus, and top amateur Perry Bucay.