Bubba Watson wins the Zurich Classic of New Orleans – Golf update
This year’s PGA Tour sanctioned Zurich Classic of New Orleans, proved to be an amalgam of upsets with early departures of big guns like Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose. World Number three, Luke Donald, finished tied for eighth, while Steve Stricker finished
tied for thirteenth. Sturdy American Bubba Watson lifted the title on the final day when he maintained his composure against a nerve wrecking opposition mounted by fellow American Webb Simpson. Watson emerged as the ultimate winner at the second Playoff hole
when both the players had finished three-under, 69.
Watson, however, did not owe everything to his skilled performance for the final round victory. He was also reinforced by Simpson’s bad luck when he suffered a penalty on the 15th hole. Simpson was apparently addressing the ball before the stroke
and accidentally moved it and the officials quickly intervened to penalise the player for his fault. Both players birdied the first playoff hole and moved over to the second hole where Simpson landed his shot into a bunker, while Watson continued with his
birdie spree to clinch the title.
Simpson was not only disappointed by the loss but also came out with harsh criticism about the PGA Tour officials for penalising him and stated that it was the wind rather than him who moved the ball on the green.
"I better limit my comments on that rule, because I think it's such a bad rule, 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."
South Korea’s leading golfer, K.J Choi, the winner of the 2002 episode of the Zurich Classic, shared the third spot with Jason Dufner and Tommy Gainey with their aggregate scores of 13-under. Choi was gaining ground with his quintessential putting and was
14-under after 16 holes when he suffered a blow with a bogey on 17th and missed a birdie putt at the 18th.
Watson has come out as a changed man from the very beginning of the season when he won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in late January. Earlier in Watson’s career, a bogey in the final round would have caused a meltdown for the player which would
have yielded devastating results. The 32-year-old Watson attributes the success to his mother and wife and cited them as the main reason for his stable and conditioned form.
Watson has moved to the top of FedExCup points and number 10 in World Golf Rankings. He also collected the winner’s cheque of $ 1,116,000 out of the total purse $6,400,000. This is Watson’s third victory on the PGA Tour and second for the season. He won
the Travelers Championship last year, also on a Playoff, defeating fellow Americans Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank.
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