Nick Watney’s magical 61 seals the deal for him
American Nick Watney shot a magnificent 61 on the final day to hold back Tiger Woods and the defending champion Bo Van Pelt at the CIMB Classic.
Watney was absolutely majestic on Sunday, as he triumphed in the $6.1 Million tournament in Malaysia.
Watney not only won at the Mines Resort and Golf Club but he came close to shooting the magical number of 59 on Sunday.
The American only needed to birdie his last hole to accomplish this feat but instead he had to settle for a bogey as the pressure on him mounted. Nevertheless, 61 was good enough to land in his second title of the year.
The world number 16 did not have the best of starts, as Tiger Woods did, but still he managed to take control of his game.
Tiger started the day five shots adrift of the leader but the world number two soon found his touch and shot six birdies on the first ten holes.
"There were quite a few players in front of me, and I saw Tiger got off to a good start, so I wasn't really thinking about winning when I played off," Watney said.
"But the round sort of built momentum and things just kept getting better and better. I'm thrilled to have come away with a win".
Bo Van Pelt could have forced the game into a playoff by birdying the last hole but he bunkered his approach and in the end had to settle for a par.
"I was fully expecting him to make birdie at the last and I told my caddie that it's worse waiting, I'd rather be on the course playing," said Watney. "At least I have some control. But waiting is very nerve-racking".
For Tiger Woods, it was his Saturday’s performance that led to his downfall.
Watney started the tournament slowly but on Friday and Saturday he played a decent game to setup the Sunday perfectly for him.
In the final round at Mines Resort and Golf Club, Watney started brilliantly with two birdies on the first two holes and he was five-under for the day when he turned.
However, it was to be his six birdies on the last eight holes that really turned things around for him.
A lone bogey on the 18th would have surely disappointed Nick, as he missed a golden opportunity to shoot a 59. Nevertheless, it was a magical display by the world number 16.
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