Bubba Watson has emerged victorious on a hard fought final day at the Northern Trust Open and won the title for the second time in three years, edging clear of Adam Scott and Jason Kokrak on a day where any one of seven players had a realistic chance to take the title.
Advertisement
Does that mean the end of his career is near?
“You have to have the ability to do it, but at that moment, can you do it?” said Watson, who also is known for spectacularly hooking a gap wedge out of the pine straw to win a Masters playoff in 2012. “I said I would change my goal”.
Watson tries to pretend he doesn’t care what people think or what they say. “It would be nice to go out on top”. McIlroy must have thought it was his day when he opened his final round with an eagle to join Watson in a share of the lead. When he was a rookie in 2006, he called himself a “new-age redneck.” Why? I’m thinking about dinner, I’m thinking about basketball games, I’m thinking about – nobody knows this yet but I passed a kidney stone at the golf tournament on Monday.
Yes, he is different.
Watson’s 15-under-par total of 269 at Riviera Country Club was one shot ahead of the 270 of both Australia’s Adam Scott, who had an erratic 67 that included an eagle and double bogey, and Jason Kokrak, who closed with a 68. “It’s been a struggle over the five years but it’s working in the right direction”.
“So for me to come back and to win, and pull one out in a tough way, is special for me and my family”.
“I made a good putt on 17, and then I chip in (for birdie) on 18”.
His Christmas break lasted less than three weeks as Spieth went to Hawaii early to prepare for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in early January.
Kokrak was chasing his first victory on the PGA Tour his previous bets being when runner-up at the Frys.Com Open in 2011.
Once Watson hit his approach to 15 feet, Scott knew his chances were over. “I feel good around this place”.
But Kokrak bogeyed 15 and Watson made birdie on 16 to move back into a tie with two holes left to play. He lagged to tap-in range and then celebrated by doffing his visor to the crowd.
Watson called a 12-foot par putt on the always-challenging par-4 10th hole one of the biggest shots he hit during the round. “I can’t believe I am standing here looking at a camera and talking about how I played a great round and won the tournament”. Watson set the ball rolling with a kidney stone, the passing of which was described thus: “My baby came out, I guess”.
He hits a golf ball with so much natural ability combined with such an unorthodox style that it piqued the curiosity of Tiger Woods when Watson first got on the PGA Tour, and even now it’s enough to cause his peers to stop and watch on the practice range. From scowling at caddie Ted Scott during a televised round, to refusing participation in a harmless long-drive championship, to attempting to illustrate his issues with water on the clubface, he’s too often painted a self-portrait of a petulant player who wants all of the credit and none of the blame.
Advertisement
He joins a group of golfers that includes Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer that have multiple wins at the Northern Trust Open (formerly the L.A. Open).
