Watson ends drought with third Genesis Open triumph

Durant claims Chubb Classic title

Bubba Watson poses with his trophy on the 18th green after winning the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club on Feb 18, in the

Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP) LOS ANGELES, Feb 19, (Agencies): Bubba Watson fired a two-under-par 69 on Sunday to win an emotional third Genesis Open title, ending a drought that stretched back to his 2016 triumph here at Riviera Country Club.

One-over for the day after three bogeys and two birdies on the front nine, Watson produced three birdies without a bogey coming home for a 12-under-par total of 272.

A spectacular hole-out for birdie from a greenside bunker at the 14th gave him sole possession of the lead for good.

He admitted that his physical struggles, including significant weight loss, sapped his confidence and even had him considering retirement.

Watson finished two strokes in front title of the season, closed with a 71 to share fourth place with Scott Stallings, who carded a 68 for 275.

Watson said making two testing seven-footers for par at the 12th and 13th after his birdie at 11 were crucial to his round -- more so than the impressive hole-out at 14.

Even after taking a two-shot lead at 14, Watson said, “”I was still nervous as can be on every shot”.

Five-time major-winner Phil Mickelson, chasing a first title since his 2013 British Open triumph, briefly pulled within one shot of the lead before settling for a 68 that saw him head a group on 276 that also included Australian Cameron Smith (71) and Canadian Adam Hadwin (66).

On a day when Riviera yielded few low scores, world number one and defending champion Dustin Johnson was unable to mount a charge and finished tied for 16th, eight shots off the lead.

Also: NAPLES, Florida:

Joe Durant birdied the final two holes — and got some help from Steve Stricker — to win the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic.

Durant shot a 5-under 67 on Sunday for a four-stroke victory over Stricker, David Toms, Lee Janzen, Billy Mayfair and Tim Petrovic.

Tied with Durant with two holes left, Stricker dropped a stroke back when Durant birdied the par-5 17th. On the par-4 18th, Stricker hit into the water and made a double bogey for a threeshot swing.

The 53-year-old Durant closed with a 15-footer to finish at 19-under 197 on TwinEagles’ Talon course. He was safely on the 18th green when Stricker — needing birdie to tie — hit into the water.

Durant earned $240,000 for his third victory on the 50-and-over tour after winning four PGA Tour titles.

The 50-year-old Stricker shot 70. He made his first start of the year on the senior tour after playing six tournaments last year — a runner-up finish in his debut along with three third-places ties.