Bubba crowded out in France

BUBBA WATSON made an early exit from the Alstom French Open in Paris yesterday, but not before lashing out at the lack of crowd control.

The world number 12 carded two rounds of 74 in his first regular European Tour event to put him out on six over par.

“On every tee it says no phones, no video cameras and on every tee there’s hundreds,” said Watson.

“It’s different — it’s not a normal tournament. There’s cameras, there’s phones, no security. I don’t know which holes to walk through — there’s no ropes.

“I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s just something I’m not used to and not comfortable with. It’s very strange to me.”

The American was heading home after a bit more sightseeing, but confirmed he will be back for the British Open at Sandwich in two weeks.

“I’ll play the British because it’s a major — that’s the only reason.”

Tournament director David Probyn said: “We have fully roped fairways, we have marshals.

“We, of course, are disappointed that Bubba has had a seemingly unpleasant experience for him. I have to say it’s the only comment I’ve had on it this week, but we will continue to review it.”

“It’s a shame Bubba has felt that way, but we hope he will look at it again and that he comes back in the future.

Meanwhile, England’s James Morrison leads the field, two days after he nearly pulled out of the tournament through illness.

The 26-year-old has suffered from Crohn’s Disease — an intestinal inflammation — for the past decade and it flared up again at the start of the week.

“I almost drove home Wednesday morning, but I’ve had some steroids and it’s calming me down,” Morrison said after a second successive 66.

The round took him to 10 under par and one ahead of Australian Richard Green at halfway at Le Golf National near Paris.

“It’s something I’ve been used to dealing with on a daily basis,” he added. “I’m feeling a little bit drained, but I play better with that because I don’t have expectations

“I feel a bit worse for wear and just stroll through the day.”

The Surrey golfer won in his rookie season last year and has earned over £500,000, but there is a first prize of €500,000 on offer this weekend and also a place in the British Open.

Ireland’s Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry missed the halfway cut, but Gareth Maybin and Paul McGinley, both on even par, and Peter Lawrie, on plus two, will play the weekend.

Picture: James Morrison