Double Augusta National winner Bubba Watson absolved Patrick Reed from his Shanghai sins but it seems unlikely Reed will escape a hefty PGA Tour fine.

Reed was in damage control mode after ultra-sensitive TV microphones picked-up a four-letter tirade addressed only to himself after three-putted the first green during the opening round of the WGC – HSBC Champions event.

Interest in the $US 8.5m event switched from the efforts of the leaders to Reed, and with TV giant CNN running coverage of the incident rather than news of Graeme McDowell heading the $US 8.5m event.

Bible-loving Bubba Watson absolves Patrick Reed but will the PGA Tour. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Reed, who revealed he could not remember uttering the words, was so upset by the reaction to his remarks he sought out Watson staying also in the same Sheshan hotel ahead of issuing an apology on Twitter.

“Patrick came to me last night (THU) and said that, ‘Hey, I did something bad.  So he showed me the video clip and said to him, ‘Yeah, that’s not good.  That’s not good, man’,” said Watson.

“We speak out sometimes when we shouldn’t.  But that’s a learning process.  He’s a lot younger than me maybe 10, 11 years younger.

“I said to him, we’ve all done things we’re not proud of, no matter if it is language or what.  Everybody, I think everybody on this planet has done something that they are not proud of, so I just told him that you just learn from this.

“It’s sad.  It’s sad it comes out but that’s how you learn to become a better man.  It’s the same thing with me.  I bet sometime before I pass awa, unless I pass away tonight, I’m going to mess up again.  That’s what I told him.

Watson was speaking after posting a second round 67 to move into a share of third place on six under par and three shots behind Gleneagles winning hero McDowell.

Reed, who was playing alongside McDowell, was still very apologetic after posting a second round 73 for a level par tally, and a year after travelling to Shanghai but as first reserve he failed to get a start.

“I made a stupid error that’s for sure and I’m definitely sorry for the word.  It should never have happened and in this game of golf it’s a gentleman’s game and that should never happen,” said Reed.

“I’m young and growing up and I’ve had temper issues on and off the golf course, and as you know I live and die through every shot.

“I’m not sure if I will get a fine or not. I will just have to wait and see.  All I can handle is myself moving forward and playing some good golf.”