Las Vegas, Nevada (November 20, 2011)–Another Tour player with strong ties to Las Vegas golf courses has helped the Unites States win a major international competition. Nick Watney was a part of the winning Presidents Cup team, but admitted that the nerves of team competition were unlike anything he has ever experienced. Watney joins the likes of Chad Campbell and Natalie Gulbis as Vegas golfers who have won on the big stage of team golf. –By Brian Hurlburt
Watney earned 2.5 points for the U.S. team that defeated the International team 19-15 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. His record was 2-1-1 and included a hard fought singles win against K.J. Choi when he overcame the pressure to hit some big shots down the stretch. "It's different," Watney told the media following the round about the pressure of the moment. "I've heard guys say it's different, but I didn't know what they were talking about. And it is different to play in a team environment, and then in match play, 2-up, three to go, you should win, so there's that element of it."
Want to play where Nick Watney plays in Las Vegas? Click now to view the official website of Rio Secco Golf Club. Watney plays and practices at the resort Las Vegas golf course that is also the home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf. Rio Secco is also home to the world-famous T-Mates, female caddies who put the Vegas into golf. Click to meet a T-Mate! Watney and teammates Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson work with Harmon at his school.
Fellow teammate Jim Furyk credited Watney as a big reason why he was able to 5-0 during the week. "The one round that I really didn't play all that well at all was when I played with Nick, and you know, he played great," said Furyk after the event was over. "He might have faltered for two or three holes, and I was able to make a big putt here and there. I hit a good bunker shot, and kept us in the match. But Nick played so great, and really just want to thank my partners for being there for me this week, and I had a great time with all these guys, it was a lot of fun."