Nick Watney of the USA collected his fourth PGA Tour title by winning the AT&T National at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania by two strokes from South Korea's K.J. Choi.
Watney played two phenomenal rounds over the weekend at Aronimink to take the victory. He followed a stellar 62 on Saturday with a highly controlled and composed 66 on Sunday.
"To be able to hit good shots and putts is why I play, really," said Watney. "I'm overjoyed to be here as the winner."
At the start of the final day it looked as though Rickie Fowler might be Watney's principal competition, but the young Californian quickly played himself out of the running with a double bogey at the second hole. As Watney made a birdie on the same hole, there was a three shot swing and Fowler never got back into contention. He finished with a 74 and ended the week in a tie for 13th.
"I just couldn't get anything going today," he said.
As it turned out, Korea's K.J. Choi was Watney's nearest challenger. The Players Championship winner tied Watney for the lead with birdies on the 11th, 12th and 14th holes. But the American pulled clear again with a solid par at the difficult par-4 15th then a birdie at the par-5 16th. He parred the final two holes to secure the victory, a cheque for $1,116,000 and to move into the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Charles Howell III played an excellent final round of 66 to move into a tie for third with Jeff Overton and Adam Scott. There was further good news for Howell - his performance earned him a spot in the Open Championship in two weeks time.
AT&T National Aronimink Golf Club, Pennsylvania Jun 30 - Jul 4, purse $6,200,000, par 70
1 Nick Watney (USA) 70 69 62 66 267 $1,116,000 2 K.J. Choi (Kor) 69 64 69 67 269 $669,600 T3 Charles Howell III (USA) 68 68 69 66 271 $332,400 T3 Jeff Overton (USA) 71 65 68 67 271 $332,400 T3 Adam Scott (Aus) 66 71 66 68 271 $332,400 T6 Robert Allenby (Aus) 71 68 68 65 272 $215,450 T6 Chris Stroud (USA) 70 68 66 68 272 $215,450 T8 Chris Kirk (USA) 70 71 63 69 273 $179,800 T8 Bryce Molder (USA) 69 67 68 69 273 $179,800 T8 Webb Simpson (USA) 69 70 64 70 273 $179,800
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only Where next? European Tour: Thomas Levet wins French Open
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