By now, you’ve probably seen some version of The Awkward Handshake That Shook The World With Laughter, but it really doesn’t get old (and probably never will). I watched it on loop in the press center with awe and marvel, not to mention trying not to fall out of my chair giggling — that would have been totally embarrassing!
Well, the above clip shows Billy Payne going in to shake 2012 Masters champ Bubba Watson’s hand and then getting nothing but air. You see, Bubba started to extend his hand toward the Chairman until he saw the shiny green jacket that Charl Schwartzel was holding, so naturally, Bubba turned to Charl.
Awful Announcing breaks down The Big Whiff play-by-play of the famed Butler Cabin, where the Green Jacket ceremony takes place year after year.
As great as it would be to imagine Bubba Watson giving a giant middle finger to the dinosaurs at Augusta National with his handshake diss, I’m afraid a frame by frame analysis of the situation proves that just didn’t happen. In the most scrutinized handshake since Suarez/Evra, here’s what really happened…
I wish I could say there was one frame that was funnier than the other (well, maybe the index finger nose scratch), but it’s all so simply amazing, and arguably the best moment in Masters history. OK, fine, Oosthuizen’s albatross was spectacular and Bubba’s snap-hook gap wedge off the pine straw on the second playoff hole was pretty cool, too. So was Phil Mickelson’s flop shot on No. 15 in the third round. Still, it’s hard to say…
that’s an easy mistake….Mr. Payne first stuck his hand out, Bubba thought he was trying to shake then when bubba went to shake Mr. Paynes hand was gone, Mr. Payne then puts his hand in and Bubba has moved on…
the timing, though, is hilarious but i would guarantee that is how it went down.
funny
great fun – great post Stephanie… by the way great articles as well
Every Butler Cabin ceremony feels like a big whiff.
It is ridiculous that they do the ceremony twice. Just do the one outside and scrap this Clifford Roberts’ anal retentive attachment to made-up tradition.
Puke.
The Butler Cabin ceremony is, and has always been, the most awkward award presentation in sports. You can go back 30 years and 3 or 4 different chairmen and it is the same, stiff and stilted. Agree with Mark that they should just do one outside presentation.
It was funny when I saw it live, but it’s even better in slomo!!!
“dinosaurs at Augusta “? Stephanie really hates Billy Payne. Apparently because he’s male, white, and over 50.
@Breaker – she has the hots for Couples – and he’s male, white, and over 50.
This whole event, including the handshake whiff, sets the stage for the new defending champ to declare that he won’t defend in 2013 unless Augusta admits women members. Bubba’s just the kind of guy who has the moral fortitude to carry it off. In the twenty-first century is this any different than excluding blacks or Jews or Muslims? Watson claims to be close to Jesus. What would Jesus do, Bubba?
To be fair to @Stephanie – the dinosaurs reference was part of a quotation from “Awful Announcing” whoever that is.
I think everybody is missing the fact that there was no actual “whiff.” Watch everyone’s hand positions and orientations closely, especially Payne’s. Payne was gesturing to Schwartzel to put the jacket on Bubba per tradition. Bubba mistakenly thought Payne’s gesture was an attempt at a handshake, which it was not. Payne was pulling his hand back before Bubba made a move to shake it. Payne, seeing Bubba’s attempt at a handshake, puts his hand back out there at about the time Bubba realizes he misinterpeted Payne’s gesturing and turns to Schwartzel. If anyone’s to blame for this unintended comedy, it’s actually Bubba.