Watney takes maiden victory

America's Nick Watney overcame early last-round pressure to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans by three shots.

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Nick Watney from Sacramento became the most recent first-time winner on the PGA Tour with a three-shot victory over fellow-American Ken Duke. Watney began the final round with a two-shot lead but seemed nervous early on when he dropped two shots in the first four holes. An eagle at the 5th, however, brought his round back on track and the resulting 69 was good enough for the title.

Duke applied pressure with four birdies on the front nine but was unable to maintain his form on the way to a final round of 70. Mark Calcavecchia had led early in the week but a third-round 72 left him too far off the pace during a low scoring week.

The highest placed European was Alex Cejka, whose 68 on Sunday took him into a tie for eighth.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans - final standings

-15 Nick Watney

-12 Ken Duke

-11 Anthony Kim, John Mallinger

Paul O'Hagan
Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.
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