Golf: Bubba Watson's title drought ends with third Riviera triumph

Bubba Watson reacts to his shot from the bunker on the 14th hole during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California on Feb 18, 2018. PHOTO: AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Bubba Watson fired a two-under 69 on Sunday (Feb 18) to win an emotional third Genesis Open title, ending a drought that stretched back to his 2016 triumph here at Riviera Country Club.

One over for the day after three bogeys and two birdies on the front nine, he produced three birdies without a bogey coming home for a 12-under total of 272.

A spectacular hole-out for birdie from a greenside bunker at the 14th gave him sole possession of the lead for good.

He added a four-foot birdie at the 17th and capped his round with an eight-foot par putt at the last.

Watson finished two strokes in front of Kevin Na and Tony Finau, who both carded 69s for a 10-under 274 total.

Watson's 10th PGA Tour victory capped a halcyon week in Hollywood for the two-time Masters champion, who recorded a show with US comedy icon Jay Leno, dropped in on comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, took in a taping of TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory and played in the National Basketball Association All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night.

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