Bubba Watson hauled up to 18th position in the world rankings
America’s golf sensation, Bubba Watson now occupies the 18th spot in the world rankings after his win at the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday. After stealing the show from golf legend Phil Mickelson, Watson could not control his emotions as he conquered Torrey Pines, emerging victorious.
The win meant a lot for Bubba, whose father lost his life after a lengthy battle with cancer in 2010.
The single stroke victory has given the 32-year-old Watson a confidence boost and is hoping to have a great season in 2011. The player climbed up 12 places in the world rankings as he won his second title on the PGA Tour.
"It means a lot," he told reporters. "I'll probably cry all day, just like last time.”
Bubba's 12-foot curving putt for the birdie on the 18th hole was sufficient to claim a one-shot victory over Mickelson. Watson was never near the top of the leaderboard during the tournament. After starting the final round, only one shot behind joint overnight leader Mickelson, Bubba carded five-under-par 67 that included six birdies and one bogey to finish the tournament on 16 under.
Bubba sidelined amazing players like Mickelson and Bill Haas en route to victory, as he shocked fellow competitors and the onlooking crowd. Had world number four Phil scored an eagle on the 18th hole, Bubba would have been forced into a play-off. However, things did not really go as the 40-year-old American golfer would have wanted them to, and his eagle attempt failed. As a result, Mickelson’s 72-yard miss provided his eight-year younger opponent with the opportunity to celebrate victory by just a single shot.
Meanwhile, Paul Casey, who won the Volvo Golf Champions tournament in Bahrain on 30 January, would have taken up Mickelson’s fifth spot in the rankings had Phil secured a below-second-place finish. Casey broke his 20-month winless drought with the victory. World number one, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer retained their rankings on the weekend.
Now, all the action heads to Arizona next week for the Phoenix Open, where Hunter Mahan defeated Rickie Fowler in 2010 by a single stroke.
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