BUBBA WATSON CAPTURED the Northern Trust Open for the second time in three years, emerging from a crowded leaderboard to win by just one stroke.
The two-time Masters winner now heads to the first Major championship of the season at Augusta National in seven weeks looking for his third green jacket.
The 37-year-old American, who also won at Pacific Palisades in 2014, birdied two of his final three holes en route to a three-under 68 to finish on 15-under.
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“What I was looking for today was to make par and then throw in some lucky birdies,” said Watson, who now has nine wins on the US PGA Tour.
I want to get to 10 wins because that is a big stepping stone in this day and age on the PGA Tour.
Watson’s playing partner, Jason Kokrak, fell just short in his quest for his first PGA title, closing with a 68 to finish at 14-under and share second with Adam Scott.
Australia’s Scott birdied 17 and 18 en route to a 67. He chipped out from 25 feet on 18 for a birdie and looked for a while like he could be headed to a playoff, but Watson sealed the victory with a short two-foot putt on 18.
Rory McIlroy’s hopes of launching his Masters preparations with a victory fell apart after he fired a final round 75.
The world number three eagled the first hole to briefly move into a share of the lead, but then played the holes from four through 13 in six-over.
“One of those days, I couldn’t really get anything going after the good start,” said McIlroy, who finished tied for 20th, ninth strokes back of Watson.
Bubba boo-yeah! Watson wins as McIlroy crumbles on the final day at Riviera
BUBBA WATSON CAPTURED the Northern Trust Open for the second time in three years, emerging from a crowded leaderboard to win by just one stroke.
The two-time Masters winner now heads to the first Major championship of the season at Augusta National in seven weeks looking for his third green jacket.
The 37-year-old American, who also won at Pacific Palisades in 2014, birdied two of his final three holes en route to a three-under 68 to finish on 15-under.
“What I was looking for today was to make par and then throw in some lucky birdies,” said Watson, who now has nine wins on the US PGA Tour.
Watson’s playing partner, Jason Kokrak, fell just short in his quest for his first PGA title, closing with a 68 to finish at 14-under and share second with Adam Scott.
Australia’s Scott birdied 17 and 18 en route to a 67. He chipped out from 25 feet on 18 for a birdie and looked for a while like he could be headed to a playoff, but Watson sealed the victory with a short two-foot putt on 18.
Rory McIlroy’s hopes of launching his Masters preparations with a victory fell apart after he fired a final round 75.
The world number three eagled the first hole to briefly move into a share of the lead, but then played the holes from four through 13 in six-over.
“One of those days, I couldn’t really get anything going after the good start,” said McIlroy, who finished tied for 20th, ninth strokes back of Watson.
- © AFP 2016
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