Triumphant Watney sizes up next PGA Tour victory

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Moments after completing a maiden PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the New Orleans Classic in Avondale, Louisiana, Nick Watney began thinking of a follow-up title.

"I loved being in this position," the 25-year-old American told reporters after winning a final-round duel with compatriot and playing partner Ken Duke by three shots.

"To be in position and pull it off and conquer your nerves, I love it. I hope I'm in contention next week.

"It's definitely a huge feeling of accomplishment," added Watney, who is playing his third full season on the PGA Tour.

"But at the same time, it's something to build on. I was able to do it this week, now I've got to go work hard and see if I can do it again."

Watney, periodically taking deep breaths in the final round to help keep composure, fired a closing three-under-par 69 at the Tournament Players Club of Louisiana.

Although he appeared to have the title within his grasp after forging two shots clear with a birdie at the par-three 14th, the Sacramento native took nothing for granted.

"It was a big turning point but, at the same time, I told my caddie that it didn't really mean anything because we still had four holes to go," he said.

"I know Ken is a fighter and he wasn't going to give up. It was definitely big, but I think I tried to focus even harder after that."

Watney benefited from a two-shot swing on the 14th after Duke missed the green to the left off the tee on his way to a bogey-four.

HELD NERVE

He then held his nerve with four pars over the closing stretch, narrowly missing a birdie at the last when his eight-foot attempt slid past the right edge of the cup.

"I did a pretty good job of staying in the moment, and here I am," Watney said with a broad smile.

Asked how much he would change after receiving a career-high cheque for $1,098,000, he relied: "I think I'll be the same person but I get to play the Masters and go to Kapalua to start the year, so I'm very excited."

Watney's breakthrough victory earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, entry to next year's Masters and a place in the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

His win was the third in a row by a former Nationwide Tour player, following compatriots Boo Weekley at last week's Heritage Classic and Zach Johnson at the Masters.

"I think it just proves that it's a great training ground," said Watney, who won the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship in 2004.

"Most every baseball player goes through the minor leagues, and that's kind of similar to the Tour but on a smaller scale.

"It's just a great way to improve and learn, and I think the results speak for themselves."

Watney, who climbed to 13th in the 2007 PGA Tour money list with earnings of $1,403, 618, paid tribute to his swing coach Butch Harmon.

"I've been working with him now almost two years and I hit the ball really, really well all four days," he said. "I have to give him a lot of credit for that."

Email this article to your friend -