And the winner is.......not who you thought it would be

Before the tournament even started it was Phil. After round one it was Villegas, then after round three it was Rollins.

So much for predictions.

During round four Lucas Glover made a run. Was he the winner?

Luke Donald with front-nine back-to-back birdies was only two back. Was he the winner.

Villegas was still there too. Was he the winner?

Rollins was still in the lead. Was he the winner?

The answer to all the above is “no”.

No, the quiet, relatively unknown Nick Watney came from 5 back with a very tidy 68 to prevail. He never held the lead until the very last hole, the last green and the last putt.

In true Yogi Berra fashion – it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

Among the “names”, Mickelson did not look trim and fit. He’s not there yet and neither is his putting. It will be a surprise if he’s ready by Pebble Beach-time. Harrington probably needs another start or two to show his best. On a positive note, the cut did not include any stars.

Close up behind the leaders, Luke Donald is threatening. He was close prior to Torrey Pines and had a peek at winning so his chances must be improving. By the time the Honda comes around he should be cherry ripe.

Baddeley and Hoffman (following on from his play-off loss) were very steady while Villegas bounced back from an ugly FBR miss-cut.

Rollins is looking fit and ready. Only a miracle winding putt by Watney at 16 caused Rollins’ defeat, not bad play.