Los Angeles: Bubba Watson surged to his first victory since the 2012 Masters on Sunday, capping a flawless seven-under par 64 with a birdie for a two-shot Northern Trust Open triumph.
After sweating out six straight pars to preserve his one-shot lead, Watson was surprised to see a 14-footer fall for a finishing flourish at Riviera Country Club.
His 15-under total of 269 gave him a two-stroke victory over eight-time US PGA Tour winner Dustin Johnson.
“It doesn’t feel like two years,” Watson said of his long wait to claim another title after making his major breakthrough at Augusta. “It’s crazy that it’s coming up on two years.”
He was pleased to win on the classic Riviera course, where he had leapt into contention on Saturday with what proved to be just his first bogey-free seven-under 64 of the weekend.
Johnson also played without a bogey on Sunday, but his five-under par 66 was only good enough for second on 271.
“When you shoot 14-under on the weekend, it’s tough to beat that,” Johnson said.
Monday qualifier Jason Allred had three birdies in his three-under 68 for a share of third place on 272 alongside Brian Harman, who closed with a 68. Another former Masters champion, South African Charl Schwartzel, was alone in fifth after a 68 for 273.
Schwartzel was one of the four players who shared the lead early in the round before Watson got his nose in front in his race for a fifth US PGA Tour title. Watson birdied five of his first eight holes.
That included holing out from a greenside bunker at the par-three sixth. Watson admitted that owed something to luck, but still added to his momentum.
