Watson's win first for Titleist Pro V1x prototype

Bubba Watson produced a stunning finish to secure victory in the WGC-HSBC Champions in China and register a first triumph for the new Titleist Pro V1x prototype golf ball

Bubba Watson
Bubba Watson recorded a first victory of the new Titleist Pro V1x prototype ball
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bubba Watson produced a stirring finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China to register a first triumph for the new Titleist Pro V1x prototype golf ball

Bubba Watson produced a stirring finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China to register a first triumph for the new Titleist Pro V1x prototype golf ball.

Watson was two clear with three holes remaining but a bogey, double run from the 16th put his challenge in real jeopardy.

But, with playing partner Tim Clark one shot clear and facing a short birdie putt on the 18th hole, the two-time Masters champion holed his bunker shot for eagle.

With Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Hiroshi Iwata failing to make birdies at the closing hole, Watson and Clark - a fellow Titleist ball user - headed to a play-off.

On the first extra hole, the left-hander holed a slick downhill 15-footer to record his first WGC title and become only the third player - after Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy - to win a major and a WGC in the same season.

Aside from Watson, Ian Poulter and Marc Leishman - who both finished inside the top 10 - put the new Titleist Pro V1x prototype into play.

Fellow top-10 finishers Jason Dufner and Rickie Fowler (Pro V1x) also used Titleist Pro V1 balls in China, while Hunter Mahan and Jordan Spieth were two more to put the prototype Pro V1x into play for the first time.

At the WGC-HSBC Champions, some 41 players used Titleist golf balls, as compared with 17 for the nearest competitor.

Elsewhere, SSP Chowrasia, Rafael Becker and Louis de Jager - winners on the Asian, PGA LatinoAmerica and Sunshine Tours respectively - used Titleist golf balls en route to success.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x