Bubba wins after eventful week at Riviera
Bubba passed a kidney stone, met Justin Bieber, appeared on a TV show... and won
![Bubba Watson wins Northern Trust Open](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NaxVpNQdu3vSVYb3KdRNaM-415-80.jpg)
Bubba Watson claimed victory in the Northern Trust Open at Riviera after passing a kidney stone, meeting Justin Bieber and making a TV cameo appearance.
Bubba Watson was two shots off the pace with just four holes to play at Riviera. But the left-hander turned on the afterburners to pass Jason Kokrak and Adam Scott and claim a second Northern Trust Open title by a single stroke.
The 37-year-old made an excellent two on the par-3 16th and then walked to the par-5 17th tee with the bit between his teeth. He unleashed a drive that travelled over 330 yards and then blasted a two iron the remaining 245 yards to the green. Two putts from there and he had the lead. A par at the last was enough to secure the title.
Build a winning golf betting strategy - click here
4 Talking points from the Northern Trust Open
1 – It was an eventful week at Riviera for Bubba Watson. He passed a kidney stone on Monday, appeared in an episode of TV show “Girl Meets World,” took his son to meet Justin Bieber and went out on Saturday night to watch a Clippers-Warriors basketball game.
"The highlight is definitely winning," Watson said. "When you come to Hollywood, there's a lot of things you can do. It's fun. And winning is the cake."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
With the win, his second at Riviera, Watson has moved back to Number 4 on the Official World Golf Ranking.
2 – Adam Scott made a great start to the final round with an eagle and three birdies in his first six. But he missed a couple of key par putts on the back nine and, despite a crowd-pleasing chip-in on the 72nd hole, he came up one shot shy. Still, his final round of 67 showed the 2013 Masters champion is on excellent form as the top players begin to think of the WGC events of March and The Masters in early April.
3 – It wasn’t such a good day for Rory McIlroy. He briefly tied for the lead after an eagle at the opening hole but it all went wrong after that. The Northern Irishman dropped seven shots and carded a 75 that saw him fall back into a tie for 20th place. “I turned a chance to win into a top-20, so that wasn’t too good,” he said.
Rory McIlroy swing sequence:
McIlroy wasn’t the only star player to struggle this week. World Number 1 Jordan Spieth missed the cut after an opening round of 79.
4 – Jason Kokrak looked like he might break his duck and secure a maiden PGA Tour title when he took a two shot lead after a fine birdie at the 13th. But he then made an error at the 15th and dropped a shot and couldn’t keep up with Watson as the left-hander put his foot down over the closing holes. “You have to eliminate those mistakes,” a clearly disappointed Kokrak said. “I mean on the 15th I was in the fairway and I had a two-shot lead at that time.”
Northern Trust Open Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California Feb 18-21 Purse $6,800,000, par 71
1 Bubba Watson (USA) 66 68 67 68 269 $1,224,000 T2 Jason Kokrak (USA) 68 64 70 68 270 $598,400 T2 Adam Scott (Aus) 68 68 67 67 270 $598,400 4 Dustin Johnson (USA) 68 66 68 69 271 $326,400 T5 K.J. Choi (Kor) 69 67 67 69 272 $258,400 T5 Marc Leishman (Aus) 68 67 68 69 272 $258,400 7 Chez Reavie (USA) 66 67 69 71 273 $227,800 T8 Sung Kang (Kor) 70 69 66 69 274 $204,000 T8 Matt Kuchar (USA) 69 69 69 67 274 $204,000 10 Ryan Moore (USA) 69 68 69 69 275 $183,600
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
We Love Skins Golf Gear And You Will Too With Up To 50% Off Apparel Right Now!
For a limited time Skins Golf is offering up to 50% off select apparel right now, and this is not to be missed.
By Sonny Evans Published
-
Should Golf's World Handicap System Be Scrapped? The Arguments For And Against…
The World Handicap System is an emotive topic. Here, we consider whether it’s fit for purpose or if it should be abolished...
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
What Is Rory McIlroy's Open Championship Record?
We take a closer look at the Northern Irishman's results in golf's oldest Major Championship
By Michael Weston Published
-
‘He Is Too Good To Be Remembered As A Choker' - Golf Monthly Writers On Whether Rory McIlroy Can Bounce Back From Latest Major Heartbreak
Following McIlroy's US Open disappointment at Pinehurst No.2 on Sunday, some of the Golf Monthly team discuss what is likely to happen to him next...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Who Is Akshay Bhatia's Girlfriend?
Bhatia's fiancée was once his caddie despite knowing "nothing about golf" when they first met...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
What Shoes Is Rory McIlroy Wearing At The Players Championship?
The Northern Irishman was spotted wearing some special edition shoes for the tournament but what are they? We explain all here.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Eric Cole What's In The Bag?
We take a look into the bag of 2023 PGA Tour Rookie Of The Year, Eric Cole
By Sam De'Ath Published
-
Nick Dunlap What's In The Bag?
We take a look at the clubs that the record-breaking young American is currently using...
By Dan Parker Published
-
Matthieu Pavon What's In The Bag?
We take a look at what clubs the first French PGA Tour winner is currently using...
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Jake Knapp What's In The Bag?
We take a look into the bag of winning PGA Tour rookie Jake Knapp
By Sam De'Ath Published