Fresno State Athletics
Watney Wins Buick Invitational
2/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Feb. 8, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - When Nick Watney broke through to win the 2007 Zurich Open in New Orleans, most golf experts were not surprised. The talented former Bulldog had been a steady face on the PGA leaderboards early in his career and was a champion on the Nationwide Tour.
Less than two years later, Watney birdied the 72nd hole at Torrey Pines to earn his second victory on the PGA Tour, winning the Buick Invitational, a victory that carries with it note only a handsome purse, but considerable points for the Fed Ex Cup.
Watney, who had a strong performance the FBR the week before with a Top 15 finish, played steady golf all weekend at Torrey Pines and never reached the top of the leader board until a nearly 50-foot putt on the 17th hole put him in a tied with John Rollins for the lead. He added another birdie on the par-5 18th hole, breaking the tie and earning the victory outright.
"I knew we had some good holes to play, and I definitely didn't want to give up," Watney said. "I just tried to keep my head down and give myself chances, and I was able to make some putts."
Watney finished the tournament with a score of 277, 11-under par. Watney is scheduled to compete in this week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am
The win gives Watney 601 Fed Ex Cup points, second to Zach Johnson (646) on the tour and he is in fourth place on the PGA Tour's money rankings for this year with $1,108,093. He ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in driving distance with just over 307 yards per drive.
A PGA Tour victory also brings several other perks, including automatic berths into special tournaments.
As a Bulldog, Watney earned 10 collegiate wins and was selected the WAC Player of the Year three straight years and All-American three times. He was selected the WAC's top male athlete of the year in his senior season, the only golfer ever to win that award.
To read the PGA Tour story, click here:
"Join the State - Fresno State!" -- The `Dogs return to the Save Mart Center on Monday, February 9 as they host Boise State at 7:00 pm. It's Monday Madness at the Save Mart Center and all tickets are buy-one-get-one free. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
