Bubba Watson And Kiradech Aphibarnrat's Unlikely Friendship

Bubba Watson revealed after his 5&3 victory against Kiradech Aphibarnrat that the two were actually good friends.

Bubba Watson And Kiradech Aphibarnrat's Unlikely Friendship

Bubba Watson revealed after his 5&3 victory against Kiradech Aphibarnrat that the two were actually good friends.

Bubba Watson And Kiradech Aphibarnrat's Unlikely Friendship

Following his quarter-final victory at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Bubba Watson revealed an unlikely friendship.

The companion in question would be his opponent, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Related: Bubba Watson: What's In The Bag?

Watson defeated Aphibarnrat 5&3 to progress into a semi-final against world number two Justin Thomas.

During the match, the Bangkok-native teased that he wanted to take Watson's driver, in response the American said he could as long as he can take his putter.

And it turns out that - despite playing on different Tours and us not being able to find a single picture of them together - the pair are actually very good friends, with Watson revealing that he's been to Thailand "many times" with Aphibarnrat and has even had dinner with his family.

Related: Justin Thomas reveals pressure of world #1 spot got to him

After the victory, the 39-year-old told media:

"He didn't make the putts he needed to make today, so he might have putted better with a wedge," joked Watson.

"I don't know. It was just one of those things where - we are good friends.

Related: Dustin Johnson hits drive 489 yards

"I've been to Thailand so many times, hanging out with him, going to dinner with him, meeting his family.

"So, yeah, we were having a giggle, but at the same time he wanted to beat me and I wanted to beat him."

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV