PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — After serving as a last-minute assistant captain for the United State at the Ryder Cup two years ago, Bubba Watson said he is motivated to be back for this year’s matches in France.

“I’ve been bugging Jim Furyk for the longest time,” Watson said of the American captain. “I told him I want to be a co-captain, and he’s been texting back to me this week, ‘No, you’re too good. You need to be on our team playing.’ ”

Sunday’s win at the Genesis Open, Watson’s first victory since winning at Riviera two years ago, could go a long way in aiding that cause.

Related: Bubba ends two-year winless streak with Genesis Open triumph

That said, Watson was ranked seventh in the world when Davis Love III passed him over last time. Love later named Watson as his fifth assistant, and the U.S. went on to blow out Europe 17-11 at Hazeltine National.

Whether he makes the team this year or not doesn’t matter to the 39-year-old Watson. He just wants to be there, in whatever capacity.

“I said, ‘Yeah, but can I be a vice captain if I’m not good enough to make it,” Watson said. “He’s not really listening to me.”