LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- This has not been the best of weeks for Bubba Watson, but most of his problems have been self-inflicted.
From declining to participate in an innocuous long-drive competition Tuesday during his practice round -- and even complaining about it -- to fretting about slow play on Thursday and then moaning about the rain Friday, it's already been a strange week for the Masters champion, whose 1-over 72 left him at even par through two rounds at the PGA Championship -- just enough to make the cut.
Because a PGA microphone was with his group and picking up conversations for a website stream, much of what Watson was saying Friday could be heard.
At one point, he dropped an expletive -- highly unusual for him -- and was generally in a poor mood because of the conditions.
"Water on the club face, bro ... water on the club face. I've got no chance," he said to his caddie, Ted Scott, at a time when he was 2 under for the tournament.
After he missed the green at No. 16, he said: "I can't play golf, man. I got nothing."
At the 18th: "It doesn't matter what I do, man. It doesn't matter. It's f---ing horses---."
And for all of this, Watson took a beating on social media.
A lot of the negativity began a week ago at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he was asked a benign question about participating in this week's long-drive contest, revived by the PGA of America this year but with an easy way to participate: simply hit a drive off the 10th tee as part of the practice round.
Almost everyone who participated seemed to enjoy the idea, and fans loved it. Watson got to that hole and hit a 3-iron -- even though he later said he'd be hitting driver there during the tournament. He said he did it to "make a point."
Huh?
Watson all but talked himself out of playing well at Pinehurst, and sure enough, he missed the cut by 1 stroke at the U.S. Open. He also missed it at the Open Championship.
"Everyone out here moans about something," playing partner Rory McIlroy said Friday. "It's just part of it. I could see how some may be affected by it. I've been guilty of it before, but it didn't affect me."
Watson didn't speak with reporters after his round, but he must have figured out something was wrong, as he went to Twitter afterward.
Sorry for my actions today! Trying to get better as person. Thanks to all who support me. #YallDontGiveUpOnMe
- bubba watson (@bubbawatson) August 8, 2014