Golf
Watney wins Buick Invitational
2009-02-09 07:24
Email | Print
California - Vivid memories of a three-putt at last year's US Open helped Nick Watney clinch a one-stroke victory at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego, California, on Sunday.
After trailing playing partner John Rollins for the first 15 holes in the final round, Watney rammed in a 40-footer from the fringe to birdie the 16th and move into a share of the lead.
His line, with a pronounced right-to-left break, was very similar to the first putt he faced in the US Open final round at Torrey Pines eight months, and he took advantage.
"I was really just trying to hit good speed," American Watney told reporters after parring the 17th before securing his second PGA Tour title with a two-putt birdie at the last.
"There was a pretty good slope about halfway through and, with about eight or ten feet to go, I saw that it was on a good line.
"I wasn't sure if it was going to catch the front lip or not, but it did. I'm very happy about that."
His long-range birdie putt caught the left edge before dropping into the cup, sparking a jubilant fist pump by Watney.
"It was definitely a big swing in terms of I was trailing all day and I don't know if I got closer than three (shots) until 14, I guess," said the 27-year-old, who went into the final round five strokes off the pace.
"So to all of a sudden be tied for the lead was kind of a jolt. You've got to go out and get it, grab it. I was definitely very excited at that point."
Asked whether the pin on 16 was in the same spot at it was for the final round of last year's US Open, he replied: "Generally.
"I don't know if it was exact but I'm pretty sure that the Sunday pin was back left, and that one was, as well. So it was in the general area and the green is pretty slopey there."
Putting, an Achilles' heel for Watney last year, was crucial to his success at Torrey Pines.
After languishing 127th in the 2008 PGA Tour's putting averages, he toiled hard with his swing coach Butch Harmon during the off-season and did not three-putt the entire week at Torrey Pines.
"Putting was a glaring weakness last year and I worked pretty hard with Butch over the winter," he said. "This is only my third tournament but I've putted well in all three.
"I'll take a lot away from this tournament as far as putting goes, so I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the year."
FINAL SCORES:
277 - Nick Watney 69-69-71-68
278 - John Rollins 70-64-70-74
279 - Lucas Glover 69-73-69-68, Camilo Villegas (COL) 63-70-74-72
281 - Matt Jones (AUS) 70-73-74-64
282 - Mathew Goggin (AUS) 69-70-73-70
283 - Bubba Watson 71-68-77-67,, Ben Crane 69-74-70-70, Charley Hoffman 71-66-74-72, Luke Donald (GBR) 70-69-71-73
284 - Hunter Mahan 74-70-74-66 Bill Haas 72-70-72-70, Jeff Klauk 71-73-69-71, JJ Henry 70-71-71-72, Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 66-76-70-72, Charles Warren 74-69-68-73
286 - Ryuji Imada (JPN) 70-72-75-69
287 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 71-74-74-68
288 - Retief Goosen (RSA) 71-71-73-73, Marc Leishman (AUS) 74-68-72-74
289 - Aron Price (AUS) 72-72-73-72, Jason Day (AUS) 69-76-70-74, Rod Pampling (AUS) 72-74-73-70
290 - Jesper Parnevik (SWE) 71-74-72-73, Phil Mickelson 70-72-73-75, Jarrod Lyle (AUS) 71-74-70-75, Nathan Green (AUS) 70-72-72-76
291 - John Senden (AUS) 76-70-73-72, Carl Pettersson (SWE) 77-69-74-71
292 - Arjun Atwal (IND) 72-74-74-72
293 - James Nitties (AUS) 79-67-73-74, YE Yang (KOR) 77-69-73-74, Stuart Appleby (AUS) 68-74-78-73
Made cut, failed to finish (MDF)
223 - Greg Owen (GBR) 70-75-78, Alex Cejka (GER) 73-72-78