Bubba Watson Holds Off Paul Casey In Playoff To Win Traveler’s Championship

Paul Casey clawed his way back from three strokes down in the final five holes, but Bubba Watson fended him off in sudden death by draining a putt on the second playoff hole at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. It was the second time Watson has won the event.

Watson had a chance to win outright in regulation but bogeyed the 17th, giving Casey a chance to steal the title away from him.

Watson acknowledged that winning is never easy, but today he was able to do what he needed to for the victory.

“It never does (come easy). Especially on 16 and 17, I’m not very good on those holes. Casey played great, you know, I hung on. That’s what we have to do sometimes to win.”

Watson, the 2012 and 2014 Masters champion, started the week off on the right foot by shooting an 8-under par 62 in the opening round on Thursday. He remained solid throughout the week and looked like he was headed to an easy victory until Casey made his charge on Sunday. But Casey’s approach shot on the second playoff hole flew way right, and Watson dropped his approach inside 10 feet to set up his tournament-winning putt.

Other notable finishers include Zach Johnson, who made a charge in the third round but couldn’t keep it going and finished sixth. Sergio Garcia struggled on Sunday to a 2-over par 72 and a tie for 25th. Luke Donald shot a 4-under 66 in the final round to finish in a tie for 7th and qualify for next month’s Open Championship.

On the second hole, after Watson sent his tee shot into the right side rough and it came to rest behind a tree, someone in the crowd pointed out Watson would probably need to use a 4-iron to punch the ball low and run it up close to the green. Instead, Watson used his sand wedge to send the ball soaring high over the tree and stick it within five feet of the pin. To the crowd’s delight, Watson had a bit of fun with the fan.

“That’s why you’re on that side of the ropes.”

Watson now heads into the Open Championship at the Old Course in St. Andrews as one of the favorites. Watson’s best finish in previous Open Championships was a tie for 23rd in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. Watson’s made the cut in three out of six appearances, his last time being in 2013 at Muirfield.

[Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images]