Watson wins Travelers in sudden death

American Bubba Watson has beaten Englishman Paul Casey on the second playoff hole to win the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship.

Bubba Watson.

American Bubba Watson has beaten Englishman Paul Casey to win the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship. (AAP)

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson rolled in a birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden death playoff to beat Paul Casey and capture the PGA Tour Travelers Championship on Sunday.

Watson, who led after the first two rounds, stuck his approach shot on the final hole to within seven feet, while Casey found the bunker on his first two shots then hit a sand shot over the green and onto a cart path to all but eliminate himself from contention.

"Casey played great. I hung on and that is what you have to do sometimes to win," Watson said.

Steven Bowditch shot 66, his best round of the week, to finish in 15th spot as the best placed Australian.

His nine-under-par total of 271 was seven shots behind Casey and Watson.

Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith finished three shots behind Bowditch for a tie for 39th, after shooting final rounds of 69 and 68 respectively.

After being eight-under par through three rounds, Aaron Baddeley saw his challenge evaporate with a final round three-over-par 73 to finish tied for 48th.

The 36-year-old Watson closed with a three-under 67 to become the fourth player this year to earn two tournament victories. Casey posted a five-under 65.

The left-handed American finished at 16-under 264 in a tie with England's Casey, who made a late charge by making birdie on three of his final five holes of regulation to get into the playoff.

"I was hoping nobody else would birdie, but Paul Casey decided he wanted to birdie some holes to make it interesting," Watson said, after leaving his birdie putt on the lip on the 14th.

Both players parred the first sudden death hole, sending them back to the 18th tee for the third straight time in the round played under a light drizzle.

Watson's drive landed in the middle of the fairway and then he hit a brilliant approach shot onto the green.

He eventually made the seven-foot birdie putt but the final hole was more about what Casey didn't do right.

His tee shot landed in the sand on the right side of the fairway and then the second shot found the bunker again just off the green.

His next sand shot sailed completely across the green and into a pack of fans who were standing on a cement cart path.

Casey chipped onto the green but by that time it was too late, especially with Watson looking at a seven-foot birdie putt.

"There are always ifs and buts and could haves," Casey said. "But the goal was to give myself a chance to win, and I did that."

Watson said the win moved him closer to his career goal.

"My whole goal in my career was to get 10 wins," he said. "I need two more wins."


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Source: AAP


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