Watney wins Buick Invitational
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2009 Buick Invitational | Round Four | 09 Feb 2009
Nick Watney started the final day of the Buick Invitational five shots behind third round leader, John Rollins, but a strong finishing round of 68 has given him a one shot victory over his more experienced opponent.
Rollins started the final day three shots clear of his nearest rival, Camilo Villegas, but bogeys at his opening two holes created opportunity for several others.
Watney, whose only other PGA Tour title came at the 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, was making only limited progress before three late birdies saw him move past Rollins. Rollins stumbled in the middle of his back nine and although an eagle at the 13th gave him some hope, two bogeys would follow and he could not match the winner over the closing stages.
Watney and Rollins were tied playing the final hole but it would be Watney who found the green at the par five with his approach from 255 yards. He two putted from 60 feet and when Rollins pulled his second left of the green and was unable to get up and down for birdie the title was Watney’s.
The 27-year-old Watney was an outstanding amateur golfer at Fresno State before turning professional in 2003 and graduating to the PGA Tour in 2005. A second round of 63 at the FBR Open last week gave an indication that his game was close to its peak.
Camilo Villegas and Lucas Glover finished in a share of third, Villegas unable to fully capitalise on what had been a fast start to the tournament with his opening round of 63. Villegas is headed for Australia soon to play the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth starting on February 19th.
The round of the final day came from Australian Matt Jones. Jones, who has only limited access to the PGA Tour in 2009, took advantage of this opportunity with a round of 64 to finish alone in 5th. He will pocket US$212,000 for his efforts.
Mathew Goggin continued his impressive recent form to finish 6th while Aaron Baddeley was 11th, Marc Leishman 26th, Aron Price, Jason Day and Rod Pampling 35th, Jarrod Lyle and Nathan Green 42nd, John Senden 50th and James Nitties and Stuart Appleby 57th.
The PGA Tour stays in California for this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am.
