Nick Watney wrapped up his second PGA Tour title of 2011 by closing out a two-shot victory at the AT&T National.
Watney shot a course-record 62 on Saturday to hold a share of the lead heading into the final day, and he fended off the challenge of 2007 winner KJ Choi with a four-under-par 66 in his final round.
The 30-year-old American said afterwards: "I'm overjoyed to be in here as the winner.
"It was a very difficult, long day. KJ played great golf, and he kept coming and coming, and that makes it even more rewarding."
Watney, winner of the WGC-Cadlliac Championship earlier this season, made a solid start to the fourth round by reaching the turn 32 thanks to birdies at the par-four second, par-three fifth and par-five ninth, while South Korean Choi registered two birdies and a bogey to lose ground over the front nine.
Choi hauled himself level by following up back-to-back putts at the par-four 11th and 12th with a 35-foot putt for birdie at the par-three 14th. However, he threw away all his hard work with a double-bogey at the par-four 15th, and Watney then matched Choi’s birdie at the 16th as he ensured there would be no way back for the Korean.
Rickie Fowler had held a share of the lead going into the final day but his challenge fell away quickly thanks to a double-bogey at the par-four second and a bogey at the par-four fourth. The American registered two more bogeys, and one birdie, to sign for 74 and finish tied for 13th place on five-under.
Meanwhile defending champion Justin Rose, who only just made the cut, finished the tournament with a one-under-par 69 that featured four birdies and three bogeys, earning him a share of 15th place on four-under.
