AUGUSTA, United States (AFP) — A new poll indicating that Bubba Watson is unpopular with his golfing peers has given the reigning Masters champion food for thought ahead of this week’s title defence at Augusta National.

Compiled by ESPN.com, the anonymous poll was conducted recently among 103 PGA players, posing the question who would be the last fellow pro they would help out in a fight.

A whopping 22.6 per cent of golfers surveyed chose Watson, doubling up on Patrick Reed, the second-leading answer with 11 per cent.

Asked by journalists yesterday if he felt irritated over the poll, its findings or its timing, the 2012 and 2014 Masters winner said no, preferring instead to take it on the chin.

“I take it as I need to improve as a man. I take it with pride. I need to get better. And I think over my career, since my rookie season to now, I’ve gotten better,” he said.

“But obviously there’s more room for me to improve as a man. And so hopefully next year or the year after, it improves.

“It’s a challenge. It’s great. I’m glad that it came out and it’s going to help me improve.

“So if it’s a bad thing and people don’t like me, then I’ve got to improve and prove them wrong.”

If there are some bad feelings towards Watson in the locker room, there is no doubting his popularity among the fans, who again flocked to his side as he practised for the year’s first major.

His unique, self-taught golfing style and heart-on-sleeve emotions on the course are a perfect match for the awe-inspiring beauty and knife-edge challenge that Augusta National provides.

The warm feelings are reciprocal with Watson saying that the fabled Georgia layout is his favourite.

“Well, it’s the only course I’ve won twice at, so it’s pretty good, and it’s a good one to win twice at,” he said.

“It’s a special place. This is exciting. This is the perfect golf course. The shape is perfect. The grass is all pretty green.

“This golf course, it gives me goosebumps every time you come down Magnolia Lane.”

Watson also believes that he is better prepared this time around to become just the fourth player — after Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo — to successfully defend his Masters title.

A year after his shock win in 2012, when he defeated Louis Oostuhuizen in a play-off, he found himself dazed and confused with all the hoopla that goes with being the defending champion.

“The media attention, the atmosphere — even a year later, you’re excited about your win,” Watson said. “Sometimes you get away from your routine or you just use your energy in a different way. That’s what I did. I don’t know about the other guys, but that’s what I did.

“This time I know what to expect. Doesn’t mean I’m going to play better, just I know what to expect, I know how to save some energy.

“I know how things are going to happen in the Champions Dinner now. I know more. That doesn’t mean it’s going to help. It just means that I should be better prepared this time.”