Bubba Watson is ranked No. 12 on the world golf rankings but he’s more like the ‘Accidental Tourist’ when it comes to naming Paris landmarks.
Bubba Watson - a twice PGA Tour winner this year and pictured with Zurich Classic of New Orleans trophy. (Photo - PGA Tour)
The American is competing in this week’s Alstrom Open de France for a first time and only a fourth occasion in Europe in his career.
Watson, who captured the Farmer’s Insurance Open earlier this year as well as May’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, contested the British Open the past two years and also last October’s Ryder Cup.
And while there is report Watson went close to falling off a motorised bicycle, Watson has seemingly been enjoying his stay in the French capital even if he’s having trouble with recognising some of Paris’ more famous landmarks.
“I saw the big tower, Eiffel Tower, an arch, I rode around in a circle, and what’s that building that starts with an L?” said Watson.
The building in Paris starting with an 'L' - Bubba Watson discovers the Louvre.
“The Louvre”, came the response from the mainly French press contingent.
Watson’s appearance in a European Tour event follows that of fellow USA Ryder Cup team mate, Dustin Johnson who contested last week’s BMW International Open in Munich.
“The reason to come over here was just to experience it, to play a great tour,” he said.
“I’ve played on the U.S. Tour the whole time and I just wanted to come here, and just to experience a different culture, different lifestyle, different golf, different atmosphere.
“And so I just wanted to come here and be a part of this and try it out, and to check out Paris and play a great golf course that was recently awarded the Ryder Cup in a few years time.”
And Watson’s manager revealed ‘Golf Boys’, the video featuring Watson, Ben Crane, Hunter Mahan and Rickie Fowler has had close to two million hits on YouTube.
There has been some 910,000 views alone of the song ‘Oh, Oh, Oh’ on the eve of the recent U.S. Open.
And Watson, whose first name is really Gary, said that while his wife has made him wear a t-shirt for any future songs, he’s delighted with the success of the clip.
“My wife loved it, and it was fun,” said Watson.
“She does want me to wear a t-shirt but I just love having fun and goofing around. We are so serious on the golf course, so it’s just a different side of us.
“It’s just me and three others wanting to golf and also have fun with it.”
And Watson revealed how Golf Boys got started.
“We were out for dinner one night, me Rickie, Ben and Hunter with our families, and so we just decided to do it,” said Watson.
“There was no convincing as we all wanted to do it. We are all nuts, I guess.”
And Watson says he’s delighted with Ladies European Tour version.
“I thought it was funny and it was very good,” he said. “It was really done pretty good and also very funny.”
French Open organisers have ignored grouping Watson with reigning U.S. PGA winner, Martin Kaymer and winner of the event two years ago.
Kaymer defeated Watson in a play-off last August to win last August at Whilsting Straits.
Watson will play in the company of French star Raphael Jacquelin and defending champion, Miguel Angel Jimenez.
While Kaymer is on the opposite side of the draw and grouped with last week’s BMW International Open champion, Pablo Larrazabal, and winner of the 2008 French Open.
Joining Kaymer and the Spaniard is Frenchman Gregory Bourdy.
