Not your usual post-round handshake.
Bubba Watson came into this Ryder Cup with a poor record on European soil.
In his seven previous outings for Team USA, away from home, Watson won one and lost six. Still, the Texan is nothing if not confident.
Thoughts on Bubba Watson's @gfore #RyderCup shoes? pic.twitter.com/kxHcuCKKPH
— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) September 24, 2018
Watson was teamed up with Webb Simpson for Day One of The Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, in Paris. The pair watched on, in the morning, as Team USA went 3-1 up to stun the home crowd.
Watson and Simpson took on Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy, who endured a bad start to his day, and were tasked with building on a superb morning for the reigning champions. After three holes, the Americans were 2 UP.
The wheels came off for Watson and Simpson around the turn and a stunner of a McIlroy approach on the 13th had them 3 DOWN. The game went on to the 16th but a poor couple of shots from Simpson then watson saw the hole conceded and Europe win that 4&2.
Following the round, Watson congratulated McIlroy and Poulter but did not shake their hands.
Bubba, who wasn’t in form and is 1-7 in Europe, is apparently so under the weather that he’s shaking hands via elbow bump to not give off germs.
Maybe shouldn’t be out there? pic.twitter.com/MX9BhMZ9W5
— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) September 28, 2018
Fans watching at the course and on TV also spotted the unusual exchange.
Talk from Guyancourt is that Watson has a cold so does not want to be passing off germs, but some fans were not buying it.
Is Bubba Watson just being Bubba Watson by not shaking hands and only bumping elbows after the round? Anyone know what the deal is? #RyderCup2018 #BubbaWatson #europe #usa #PGA2018
— Rob Edwards (@robedwards9910) September 28, 2018
What was with @bubbawatson side arm bumps with @RyderCupEurope but he was fine to shake partner and @RyderCupUSA hands? #notclassy
— Chris DiPasquale (@golfprodipo) September 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/kevlav23/status/1045696513685540864
Sky sports footage at the end of the match seemed to confirm that Watson, indeed, was offering elbow bumps instead of the traditional handshakes.
Footage from earlier in the round would appear to back up the story of Watson not wanting to get too touchy.
He literally left the hand of Simpson, his playing partner, hanging after a crucial birdie putt was dispatched.
When you make birdie for @bubbawatson , don’t think you are getting a hand shake. @RyderCup #Juke #HeadScratch pic.twitter.com/6rOJNMVbgB
— David Horsey (@DaveTheWave21) September 28, 2018
Something to keep an eye out for on Saturday and Sunday at the tournament.
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