Watney wins Zurich for first PGA Tour title

Nick Watney offered a slight wave to the applauding crowd as he walked away from his par putt on the 17th hole, then took a deep breath, his cheeks puffing as he exhaled.

There was only one hole to go for his first career PGA triumph, not to mention a check for nearly $1.1 million.

He was nervous, he admitted later, but not that nervous.

"I loved being in this position," Watney said. "That's one of the funnest things about it is to be in position and pull it off and conquer your nerves."

Five strokes later, the lanky, clean-cut Californian tapped in for another par on No. 18, smiled broadly as he raised his arms, then hugged his caddie. The 25-year-old, now in his third year on the tour, had prolonged a recent pattern of first-time winners at the Zurich Classic in Avondale, La.

Watney closed with a 3-under 69 on Sunday for a three-stroke victory over Ken Duke. The winner had a 15-under 273 total on the TPC Louisiana.

"I'm living a dream right now," Watney said, wearing Mardi Gras beads as winners in New Orleans traditionally do. "I've played in close to the last group sometimes, and I've seen guys go through it. But it's definitely more fun to actually do it. I'm trying to soak it all in."

Duke, a 38-year-old who also was seeking his first victory, shot a 70.

Watney's highest previous finish was fifth in two tournaments last year, and lost the lead to Duke when he missed a 3-foot par putt on the par-4 10th. He bounced back with a birdie on the par-5 11th and went in front for good with a birdie on the par-3 14th.

On the 14th, Duke's tee shot landed short and left of the green, his chip went 7 feet past the pin and he missed the par putt coming back to fall two shots behind. That was after Watney's tee shot with a 4-iron had landed 8 feet from the pin.

Watney was unflappable during the final four holes, missing the fairway only once off the tee and hitting every green in regulation. Duke struggled just to keep pace.

"I knew if I could get it to one coming to 18 I thought I had a chance, but he had two on me, and he played smart, and that's what you've got to do," Duke said.

Watney became the fifth first-time winner in the last six years at New Orleans' annual PGA Tour event, joining Chris Couch (2006), Tim Petrovic (2005), Steve Flesch (2003) and K.J. Choi (2002).

Champions Tour

Jay Haas successfully defended his Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf title in Savannah, Ga., making up four shots in the final eight holes before beating Tom Kite in a playoff for his second Champions Tour victory this season.

Haas closed with a 2-under 70 for a 9-under 207 total, then won on the first extra hole for his eighth senior circuit victory. Kite (68) had been 3-0 in senior playoffs.

Haas has nine wins on the PGA Tour and eight on the Champions Tour. This was the first time he successfully defended a championship.

-- The Associated Press