Big Play: Buick Invitational
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Big Play: Buick Invitational
By John Elliott
Who: Nick Watney
What: 235-yard, 21-degree
hybrid to 60 feet
Where: 572-yard, par-5
18th hole at Torrey Pines
When: Final round of the
Buick Invitational
Why: Watney is no accidental winner. He has a loose
and balanced swing that's powerful (seventh
in driving distance in 2008) and accurate (16th in GIR).
The foundation of Watney's swing is his picture-perfect
grip, which is neutral (no hand dominates) and soft.
Such a good grip dramatically reduces Watney's margin
for error, and that frees him up to play with peace and
assurance under pressure, as he did while stoning his
hybrid at 18 to set up the winning two-putt birdie.
