Bubba Watson is looking forward to a fresh challenge as he prepares to take part in his first regular European Tour event.
Watson, who has featured in a host of co-sanctioned Major Championship and World Golf Championships events, is among a strong field for this week’s Alstom Open de France at Le Golf National - the venue for The 2018 Ryder Cup.
The big hitting 32 year old American follows in the footsteps of fellow countryman Dustin Johnson, who featured in last week’s BMW International Open in Munich.
Watson said: “The reason to come over here was just to experience it, to play a great tour.
“I’ve played on the PGA Tour the whole time and just wanted to come over here and experience different life, different golf and a different atmosphere.
“I just wanted to be part of this, try it out, and play a great golf course that just got awarded the Ryder Cup.”
Watson expects scoring to prove tricky this week, having discussed the course with 2009 champion Martin Kaymer.
The duo, who were involved in a play-off at last year’s US PGA Championship in which Kaymer emerged victorious, both own houses in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Watson added: “Martin Kaymer, me and him are good friends, he has a house in Scottsdale where I do, and he just told me about how tough it is.
“The last few holes have a lot of water. I haven’t seen the course yet, but he said it’s very tough and you get some high rough here and have to hit the fairways.
“That’s what we want, a tough golf course that challenges us and makes us pay attention and have to play good golf.”
Watson finished in a tie for 38th in his last outing at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, an event won by Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson.
Prior to that, he tied for 63rd place in the US Open Championship, yet he insists he is happy with his form.
“I’m hitting the ball really well,” he said. I’ve only missed one cut this year and I’ve had two wins (at the Farmers Insurance Open and Zurich Classic of New Orleans).
“At the US Open, and then at Travelers last week, I just didn’t make the key putts, didn’t keep the momentum going. So as long as I putt well I’ll play good - and that’s what I’ve been doing so far this year.”
