Nick Watney claims CIMB Classic in Malaysia

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WINNER: Nick Watney has taken out the CIMB Classic.

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American Nick Watney fired a brilliant 10-under-par 61 to overhaul compatriot Bo Van Pelt and win the US$6.1 million CIMB Classic on Sunday as a brave run by Tiger Woods fell just short.

Watney started the day four back of overnight leaders Bo Van Pelt (66) and Robert Garrigus (66) but, after flirting with golf's magical number 59, ended one ahead on 22-under 262 to win the Asian and PGA Tour co-sanctioned event in Malaysia.

Van Pelt, who double-bogeyed the last chasing a 59 in his third round on Saturday, failed to force a playoff when he could only par his final hole after hitting his approach into a greenside bunker.

The 31-year-old Watney, who won the PGA Tour's Barclays Tournament in August, fired 11 birdies on the short and soggy Mines Golf Course, which proved an easy test for the 48-man field after a third consecutive day of preferred lies.

Watney needed to birdie the last to shoot the rare 59, but he could only bogey the hole after a poor second to the par-four from the rough.

Woods hauled himself into contention with an eight-under 63 but had to settle for a three-way tie for fourth place, three behind Watney, and will rue a number of missed opportunities on the back nine when he was close enough to challenge the leaders.

- Reuters

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