World Golf News - 07 July 2011

On the US PGA Tour, Nick Watney of the United States won the AT&T National, beating South Korea’s KJ Choi by two shots to clinch the title. In an exciting final round that had golf fans glued to their screens, Watney kept his overnight lead by not dropping a single shot.

In hot summer weather on the course in Philadelphia, Watney’s single birdie was enough to put him two strokes ahead of Choi despite an impressive assault from the South Korean that briefly tied the two players on the fourteenth. Unfortunately for Choi, a double bogey at the fifteenth put victory just beyond his reach, and a jubilant Watney lifted the trophy of his second PGA Tour title.

In Europe, a grand victory celebration for Frenchman Thomas Levet followed his win at the French Open on Sunday. Levet, who has formerly represented Europe at the Ryder Cup, held his nerve to win by a single stroke over Britain’s Mark Foster and Thorbjorn Olesen.

For Levet, a victory at his national event was not only a source of great pride, but a much-needed boost after a two year winless period. The excitement of winning was not lost on the Frenchman, who was first doused with champagne by his fellow players and proceeded to jump in the lake. After he emerged, the elated champion told journalists that winning the French Open was a dream come true.

On the LPGA Tour, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall won her second title when she lifted the trophy at the Finnair Masters in Helsinki. The young Swede maintained her lead throughout the final round, never yielding to tournament pressure or putting the trophy at risk. Hedwall’s final round score of 68 proved effective in keeping her closest competitors at bay, with Holland’s Christel Boeljon taking second place. Golf fans can expect many more great performances from this talented young player.

Golfweather Editorial