Bubba Watson edges past Webb Simpson to win at Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Bubba Watson, in a tight playoff, won his third PGA Tour victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, defeating countryman Webb Simpson at the Pete Dye-designed, Tournament Player Club Louisiana, in Avondale.
Although Watson has done everything right to bag the title, Simpson had his share of bad luck when he suffered a penalty at the 15th green, when his ball moved while he was addressing it. While Simpson had already bogeyed the 12th and
Watson moved closer with a birdie at the 13th, the match was tied for 15-under and extended to extra hole.
Watson pulled off a staggering 12 feet birdie putt in the first extra hole to force another extra hole. Simpson landed in the bunker and while he missed the birdie with a narrow margin, Watson again birdied the hole to clinch the title.
"My wife, my caddie and my trainer would say my attitude's in the right spot," Watson said. "This week, I won (by) not getting down on bad shots, just staying focused on what I'm supposed to be doing."
But Simpson was dejected with the loss and did not at all appreciate the stringent PGA rules regarding the penalty he suffered at 15th.
"When the wind or other natural things affect the golf ball, the player shouldn't be penalized. ... It was just unfortunate, but Bubba deserves a win, and I'm pretty happy for him. I better limit my comments on that rule, because I think it's such a bad
rule," said Simpson who is still without a win on the PGA Tour.
Watson has improved his game by leaps and bounds and is having more control of his nerves. This is his second win for the season on the tour and has earned him the winner’s prize share of $1,152,000. The left-handed golfer won the Farmers Insurance Open
at Torrey Pines in late January and with his latest win, has now moved from World number 16 to number 10 in World Official Golf Ranking.
K.J.Choi, the ace South Korean golfer, finished tied for the third with his aggregate of 13-under along with Jason Dufner and Tommy Gainey.
Tags: