Nick Watney, 2011 Masters Champion?
Call off the search!
Lee Westwood is alive! But it was his opponent, Nick Watney, who impressed yesterday ahead of what could prove to be a major breakthrough at Augusta National this year.
The three-time All-American shot a superb five-under 67 to beat the world number one 1-up and advance to the last 16 of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.
The 29-year-old’s performance bodes well in preparation for a return to the Masters in April, where he has continued to impress in only three appearances at the event.
On his debut in 2008, the Californian finished tied 11th following a final round of 71, one of just four men to break par on a day that saw winds of up to 35 mph blow even the most seasoned of veterans off course, outscoring the likes of Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson.
“The golf course suits my eye off the tee.” he said. “I play a draw, and we all know it’s a draw-type golf course.”
That showing came a year after winning his first PGA Tour event at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April 2007. Many expected that victory to be the first of many, but it took a further two years for Watney to add to his tally with a win at the 2009 Buick Invitational, taking advantage of the absence of Tiger Woods who had held the trophy in five of the previous six editions of the event.
However, it’s his play at Augusta that really stands out. Two months after that win, Watney further confirmed his love of the golf course by shooting a three-under par total to finish in 19th place.
In 2010, an opening 68 saw Watney threaten to contend for the first time. But the American fell back with rounds of 76 and 71 before an incredible 65 on Sunday that saw him record the lowest round of the tournament and finish a career-high seventh on the leaderboard.
“I love this place.” he said beaming after the round. “I think it’s just a magical place. I love the golf course, and it’s something I’m looking forward to next year right now. So maybe if I can eliminate that 76, who knows?”
It was the words of a man completely at ease at one of the most challenging venues in golf and a performance that caused coach Butch Harmon to proclaim that his student would win the tournament one day.
Watney followed that result with a 7th place finish at the Open Championship, before perhaps his career-defining moment to date at the USPGA Championship at Whistling Straights. Rounds of 69, 68 and 66 gave Watney a three-shot lead going into the final round but inexperience cost the American as he stumbled to a nine-over 81 on Sunday and dropped back into a tie for 18th place.
Despite that experience, Watney continued to shine and bounced back with an impressive fourth place finish at the Tour Championship a month later.
Fast forward to this year and Watney is still the form horse. He leads the scoring average on the PGA Tour with three top six finishes in his first three events of the season, including a career low 63 shot at the Farmers Insurance Open last month.
This week hasn’t been bad either, first knocking out Match Play specialist Anthony Kim 5&4 in Round One before overcoming Westwood for the second year running in Round Two.
A win on Sunday would propel Watney into an elite group and with a World Golf Championship to his name, who’s to say that a victory at his favourite golf course won’t be right around the corner in two months time?
With odds of 33/1 still available at some bookmakers, I’m willing to take the risk now before it’s too late.
Let’s just hope he hasn’t reached his peak, with the eccentric yet talented Ryan Moore waiting in the wings to cause an upset later today…
