Watson struggles to adjust in first appearance in France

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SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France -- American Bubba Watson blamed an unfamiliar environment at the Albatross course for his disappointing performance at the French Open.

Watson shot a 3-over 74 during the second round Friday for a 6-over 148 total, leaving the lefty likely to miss the cut.

"It's different for me, there's cameras, there's phones, there's everything, no security," Watson said. "I don't know which holes to walk through, there's no ropes. It's something I'm not used to, I'm not comfortable with."

Watson has won two PGA TOUR titles this year but rarely plays in Europe. He was apparently affected by spectators snapping photos and recording videos while he was playing, which is allowed.

"It's very strange to me." Watson said.

European Tour tournament director David Probyn defended the event's security measures but said that course security was much more relaxed in Europe.

"You can't ban everyone who is carrying a mobile phone," Probyn told Reuters. "It's the same with cameras. You can't scan everyone for a camera at every event, that would just make it hard for people to watch golf and we don't want to do that.

"Sure, we are not as rigorous with the way we run things as they might be in America. But we don't have 1,200 volunteers like they have in America for a tournament. Anyway, our players are happy to walk through the crowds."

In February, the PGA TOUR announced a mobile device policy that allows fans at TOUR events to carry mobile devices and use them in select areas on the golf course. But no video recording is permitted at any time during the week, and no photography is permitted during official competition rounds.

"We understand that mobile devices are an important part of everyday life." Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR chief of operations, said at the time of the announcement. "... We anticipate our fans will be respectful of the policy and as a result the integrity of our competitions will not be compromised."

Watson is planning to return home before coming back to Europe to play in the British Open in two weeks.

Earlier this week, Watson said he was looking forward to playing at the course that will host the 2018 Ryder Cup.

"I've played the U.S. Tour my whole career and I just wanted to experience a different culture, a different life, a different atmosphere," Watson said.