Long-hitting Bubba Watson maintained ice-cool composure to clinch his third PGA Tour title in a gripping playoff with fellow American Webb Simpson for the New Orleans Classic Sunday.
Both players birdied the first extra hole, the par-five 18th, and Watson sealed victory there with a four-foot birdie putt the second time around after Simpson missed his own attempt from 12 feet. Left-hander Watson pumped his left fist in celebration after his winning putt dropped into the cup before shaking hands with Simpson and then being embraced by his wife Angie.
“Somehow now I’ve got three,” a jubilant Watson told reporters after ending a breezy afternoon at the TPC Louisiana with his third PGA Tour title in 11 months. “A year ago I was a good player who (had) never won, and now I’ve got three under my belt so it’s crazy. It’s something that I could never dream of.
“For me to get one was unbelievable. My career was complete. I’ve done it. Then for me to get another one just adds to my career. It’s something I’ve dreamed about doing.” The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on 15-under-par 273 after closing with matching three-under 69s, Watson having narrowly missed a birdie putt from nine feet at the par-five 18th. Watson then sank a 12-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole to keep the playoff alive.
