Disgraced Bubba Watson could do well to take a leaf from the book of countryman, Brendan Steele.
Steele is also competing in France for a first time in his career, and with the Californian producing the equal best round on day three of a four under par 67 in the third round of the French Open in Versailles.
Brendan Steele - winner of 2011 Valero Texas Open.
Steele eagled the par five, 14th and then birdied two of his three closing holes to end the day sharing 13th place at two under par.
And like Watson, the 28-year old Californian, who captured this year’s PGA Tour Valero Texas Open, is competing in France after being afforded an invitation.
But in stark contrast to Watson, Steele has delighted in competing in the French capital and competing in front of new-found French fans.
“The French fans have been fantastic and I’ve really enjoyed coming here to Paris and competing,” he said.
“Everyone has bent over backwards to make me feel welcome so I have to thanks the European Tour, all the officials and the organisers.
“It’s a fantastic golf course and I can see why it was awarded the 2018 Ryder Cup, so I’ve loved every minute being here and would love to come back and play again,”
Earlier this year, the rookie PGA Tour pro shot a one-under par final round, overcoming outrageous weather conditions and some excellent golf by fellow first-year PGA Tour player Kevin Chappell to win the Texas Open by a stroke.
Steele lived up to his surname to win by a stroke with an eight-under par.
The 2011 Texas Open boasted the PGA Tour’s highest scoring average of 73.665, so far this year and Steele’s four round 280 total was the highest winning score at the Texas Open since a 283 won the 1934 edition.
Like Watson, who has won twice this year, Steele earned an exemption into next April’s U.S. Masters.
Also the politely-spoken Steele has been afforded an invitation into next week’s Barclay’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
Watson, who missed the cut with a pair of 74s, could very well do to take a lesson from Steele’s book.
