In Defense of Bubba Watson at the ALSTOM Open De France

Kathy Bissell

The French can be mean and snippy. This week, they attacked a guy who cried because he was so happy to be on the Ryder Cup team and represent his country.  He said he didn't care that he didn't win the PGA Championship because being on the Ryder Cup team was his victory. 

Although the French gave us help in our American Revolution and sent us the Statue of Liberty, clearly they have not read Miss Manners.

If they had, they would realize that guests in their country should be treated like guests and not like the enemy. The French, it seems, have a tough time telling the difference.

Bubba Watson has just come off his best year as a professional golfer. Prior to 2010, he had made, by his own description, a personality adjustment that allowed him to embrace playing golf and what it brings. Since then, he has been a shining light in the sport.

Two weeks ago, Bubba and the clothing company that sponsors him created camo pants and a matching shirt specifically for the US Open. Proceeds went to Birdies for the Brave. Bubba's father, who died last year, was a veteran, and through his father, Bubba developed a great love of country.

When asked what he would do if he ever won the $10 million Fed Ex Cup prize, he said he'd pay taxes, pay for his house and then give the rest away to charity, probably to his church.

Bubba said after he won in New Orleans that he loves to play for charity and to help people. That's what he wants to do in life. This is the guy the French are beating up on.

Bubba embraced what he called his "inner redneck" to make a charity music video with Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan. They don't get the money from it.

Now, because he doesn't speak French, they are going to make fun of him?

It's about time somebody told the French to learn how to behave in public and in polite company. This just is NOT done. It's inexcusable.

Ten million Frenchmen CAN be wrong.

Bubba, you're too good for them. Come on home.

Top Ten Retorts Bubba can give the French:

1. Hey this is the building in the Da Vinci Code. That Tom Hanks movie. I don't speak French. This is my interpreter.

2. I don't convert to meters, but yeah, I drive it more than 300 of them. This is my interpreter.

3. I like Italian Bread. This is my interpreter.

4. I like Italian dressing. This is my interpreter.

5. I like German beer, and Irish and Scotch whiskey. This is my interpreter.

6. I like French's mustard. Do you make that? This is my interpreter.

7. How about French fries?

8. It's two syllables: Bub bah. This is my interpreter.

9. So whose side were you on in WWI and WWII? This is my interpreter.

10. So you didn't grow up speaking German. You can thank the US for that. This is my interpreter.