Bubba Watson got booed in a big way at the Waste Management Open

Bubba Watson isn’t always the most popular golfer. His tendency to say what he thinks, even if what he thinks is not a lot, has, at various times, offended almost as many people as Donald Trump.

Bubba’s attitude led to him being voted the player his fellow pros would be least likely to help in a fight. Stuart Appleby once tweeted, “Rumour has it that Bubba Watson has had surgery to mouth to make it smaller so foot won’t fit with as much ease. Hope it’s successful ????” Appleby later qualified this, adding, “I’m not perfect all the time, but is not acceptable to come to another tour and more than once show a lack of respect.”

Bubba’s latest gaffe was to offend TPC Scottsdale – a course where, let’s not forget, he’s never shot over par and where he’s finished second in the last two Phoenix Opens – saying “I don’t like it. I’m not going to PC it. I don’t like it at all.”

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Bubba’s chagrin was caused by course changes made by course architect Tom Weiskopf.

“I didn’t see any reason to change it,” he said. “To me, it just seems like all they did is tightened it up. It just makes it goofie and tougher, which is not fun for us. We came here for a reason. We came here because we want to play golf and shoot good scores. I didn’t see there is a reason to change something that’s not broke.”

Bubba went as far as to say he wouldn’t have turned up for the Waste Management Phoenix Open were it not for a commitment to his sponsors. 

“I’ve got three beautiful sponsors that love it here. Obviously I’m here because of my sponsors and everything.”

Bubba’s comments did little to endear him to the fans, who made their feelings very clear at the famous 16th hole, with its stadium surround. 

Boos are normally reserved for players who miss the green on the short par-3 hole. Bubba hit his tee shot to 11 feet and then converted the birdie putt on his way to a two-under round of 70. 

NEXT: A robot got a hole-in-one at the Waste Management Open!

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