Good things are coming in threes for Bubba Watson.
The 39-year-old Watson ended a two-year victory drought when he won the Genesis Open for the third time in February at Riviera, and he added the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March.
On Sunday, Bubba shot 7-under par 63 and became the first three-time winner on the circuit this season by claiming his third victory in the Travelers Championship, winning by three strokes over four players at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.
“It’s almost been like starting over and it’s been a great ride,” said Watson, who was tied for the lead when he hit his approach to within three feet for a closing bogey while finishing ahead of the other leaders. “It’s been like a new year, like my rookie season.
“It’s amazing to somehow pull off a shot like that coming down the stretch on Sunday. It’s absolutely amazing and I can’t really put it into words. But it’s great to win here because it’s almost like a second home, and with the crowd, I’m almost speechless.”
Watson, a two-time Masters champion who earned his 12th PGA Tour victory, took charge by making six birdies in the last 10 holes on his way to a 72-hole score of 17-under 263. He really got rolling with a 49-foot chip-in for a birdie on the 10th hole.
Only Billy Casper, the late Hall of Famer, won the Travelers more with four titles.
Paul Casey of England, who took a four-stroke lead into the final round, could manage only a 72 that included two late bogeys and finished in the tie for second that included Stewart Cink, who had six birdies in the first seven holes and a total of 10 in a brilliant 62.
Beau Hossler of Rancho Santa Margarita birdied four of the last six holes to shoot 66 and also tied for second along with J.B. Holmes, who had a 67.
Brian Harman, the 36-hole leader, had four birdies on the back nine while posting a 68 to wind up four shots down in tie for sixth with Kevin Tway, who hade five birdies down the stretch a 67, and Russell Henley, who closed with a 69.
Bryson DeChambeau of Clovis carded his second straight 68 to tie for ninth with Chase Seiffert, who holed out from 48 feet for an eagle at No. 6 in a 64, and Anirban Lahiri of India, who birdied the last two holes for a 69.
Ninth-ranked Jason Day of Australia chipped in from 38 feet for a closing birdie in a 69 and finished in a tie for 12th that included seventh-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who wound up at 67.
Fourth-ranked Brooks Koepka shot 65 to tie for 19th a week after winning his second straight U.S. Open, defending champion and fifth-ranked Jordan Spieth tied for 42nd with a 69, and second-ranked Justin Thomas had a 73 and tied for 56th.
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