Bubba breaks through
A tearful Bubba Watson has revealed he contemplated retirement before claiming victory at the US PGA Tour event at Riviera Country Club.
Two-time Masters champion Watson captured his 10th US Tour victory when he closed with a two-under-par 69 for a 12-under total.
Fellow Americans Kevin Na and Tony Finau (both 69) tied second, two shots back.
It marks Watson’s first win since his 2016 triumph at Riviera and he joins golf great Ben Hogan and Lloyd Mangrum as the only three-time US Tour winners at the famous Los Angeles course.
Watson, who has suffered through illness and subsequent weight loss during the past two years as he fell to world No. 117, said he thought about quitting tour golf.
“I’ve mentioned it about 10 to 12 times to my wife,” Watson said after his win.
“I have a car dealership, a candy shop and a baseball team so we would have had something to do.”
Watson began the final round with a one-shot lead but relinquished the honour when he dropped a shot on the front side. Patrick Cantlay took hold, but the turning point came at the par-3 14th hole when Watson holed a greenside bunker shot for a timely birdie as Cantlay began to unravel.
Watson reached the par-5 17th in two and two-putted for birdie to ensure an easy stroll up Riviera’s famous 18th.