TOP 20 IN THEIR 20s: No. 13  Editor's Note: Our "Top 20 in Their 20s" series continues as PGATOUR.com counts down the top golfers on the PGA TOUR aged 20-29 over the next two weeks. The list is based on 14 statistical categories, including TOUR wins, Official World Golf Ranking, percentage of time spent in the top 10 throughout their career and 2007 FedExCup performance. Get to know No. 13: Nick Watney.
Many of the twenty-somethings on the PGA TOUR are flashy and outspoken with big personalities. Nick Watney is the exact opposite. Soft-spoken and humble, Watney prefers to stay out of the limelight and quietly work on his game. After all, the northern California would prefer to let his game do most of the talking. One of the many young long drivers on TOUR, Watney is ranked 17th in driving distance and 35th in greens in regulation percentage. "Obviously he's incredibly talented," Tim Goodell, Watney's caddie, said. "I think he's progressed dramatically. I think his mental game has really improved quite a bit, and obviously his physical game has also."
Watney has indeed progressed since his first year on TOUR. In his rookie year in 2005 he posted just two top-10s. He improved upon that during his sophomore season, posting six top-10s and 11 top-25s and finishing the year at No. 75 on the money list. Coming into his third year on TOUR, Watney was making cuts and earning paychecks, but he still wanted one thing: a win. "My first year I was happy to make a cut," Watney said. "This year I have my sights set a little higher." His ambition paid off in April when Watney won his first TOUR event, the 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, just days before his 26th birthday. And leave it to the humble Watney to give praise to the city of his first TOUR victory. "I think it's pretty remarkable, the destruction that came through here," Watney said. "And for people to come back and build up the city and then come out and watch us, that's pretty impressive." Goodell said Watney's recent power surge can be attributed to the influential swing instructor who has helped shape many golf careers - Butch Harmon. "Butch Harmon has helped tremendously with his physical game the last couple years," Goodell said. "He's got him releasing the club more and hitting a draw."
Before Harmon, Watney relied on the instruction of his uncle, Mike Watney, whom he played under at Fresno State University. Watney had a record college career which included being ranked No. 1 in the country his senior year. With five wins his senior year (four consecutive), that was more than any player in the country. Watney was also the Western Athletic Conference's first three-time player of the year and a three-time All-America selection. Who will be No. 12? Hint: One word: Spider-man. |
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