Agence France Presse
Pacific Palisades, Feb 22: Bubba Watson captured the Northern Trust Open for the second time in three years here Sunday, 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 for a 15-under 269 total.
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. Scott 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 the World No. 3 from Northern Ireland fired a final round 75. Kokrak, Scott, Dustin Johnson, KJ Choi and Marc Leishman all took runs at top spot on the leaderboard.
Watson moved into a tie for the lead at 14-under with a birdie on the par-three 16th, landing his tee shot just five feet from the hole. He had a 45-foot putt for eagle on the par-five 17th that stopped three feet short, giving him another easy birdie. Watson reached the green in two on 18 then two putted for the victory.