The Associated Press
Tim Reynolds
DORAL, Fla.—Adam Scott faced a daunting challenge—a six-shot deficit with 13 holes to go on a course that was playing tougher than it had at any point in the week.
And after overcoming that, he needed to survive two brushes with big trouble on the final hole to finish the job.
Scott won for the second-straight week, shooting a final-round 69 to win the Cadillac Championship by one shot over Bubba Watson.
It’s the second win for Scott in a World Golf Championships event, his 13th career win on the PGA Tour, and he now hasn’t finished lower than second in any of his last three starts.
“Everything fell the right way for me today,” he noted.
Scott finished the week at 12-under 276.
Watson (68) was alone in second while Danny Willett (69) and Rory McIlroy (74) tied for third, two shots back.
Phil Mickelson (70) was alone in fifth at nine-under.
Jimmy Walker shot the round of the day—a six-under 66 to finish alone in sixth at eight-under.
With course owner Donald Trump popping in yesterday, arriving by helicopter and greeting fans as he drove around in a cart, there was plenty of drama away from the fairways and greens.
Scott ensured there was a ton on the grass, as well, after two double-bogeys in a three-hole span on the front side seemed to send his round into a tailspin.
That is, until he got hot at just the right time with birdies on six of his next nine holes after the second double.
“It was such a challenge out there today,” Scott said.
“I knew if I could just get a couple [birdies] before the turn, maybe I’ll have a chance.”
It’s anyone’s guess if Scott will get a chance to defend the title at Doral in 2017.
General Motors’ sponsorship agreement with the event ends this week and with no sponsor, there’s no tournament.
“Our hope is that the future could allow us to stay here and continue to build the tournament,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said yesterday afternoon, meeting with reporters before sitting down privately with Trump to talk about the tournament’s future.
“But we’ll have more to say about that after we do a full evaluation of our performance this year.”
Count Watson, who has been second or third at Doral four times in the last five years, among those who want Doral to stay on the schedule, as it has been since 1962.
“If they move it, I’ll be sad because I’m pretty good around this place,” Watson noted.
That he is. But Scott—despite walking a tightrope the last three holes—was a bit better.
“I can’t believe I’ve won back-to-back weeks,” Scott said.
“To win a World Golf Championship is huge again.”
Watson made eagle at the par-five eighth to get into real contention yesterday, but his big mistake was a bogey on the par-four 14th.
He couldn’t get up-and-down from a greenside bunker, Scott made birdie on the same hole just a few minutes later, and that two-shot swing proved critical.
“I gave it a good effort,” Watson said. “What I’m working on in my head is working out.
“Right now, I’ve got the energy and the mind-set to play some decent golf, so very positive, very happy about the week and what took place.”
McIlroy, who came into the day with a three-shot lead, didn’t make a birdie until the 16th hole.
“I didn’t take advantage of the holes I should have,” noted McIlroy, who next plays at Bay Hill.
Only seven of the 65 players avoided making at least one double-bogey this week.
