Watney seeks elusive second title

2008-03-26

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By John RegerPA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

AVONDALE, Louisiana (Ticker) When Nick Watney won the ZurichClassic of New Orleans last year no one was more surprised thanhim, but what was more shocking to him was what he has donesince.

Watney enters the Zurich Classic, which begins Thursday at TPCLouisiana, with that one victory and two other top 10 finishesin 25 events.

After his victory, Watney thought he would be in contention farmore than he has been. He struggled the rest of 2007, missingseven of 17 cuts.

"I think after winning, I liked it so much I was really wantingto do it again really soon," Watney said. "I started pressing,maybe I don''t know people say trying to hard, trying to forcethings. So the second half of the year was a littledisappointing."

There tends to be a letdown after the first victory, but Watneywas determined not to bask in his win for long.

"I think the hangover effect lasts maybe a week or two," Watneysaid. "When I would get in position, I would definitely try andforce things and maybe look ahead. Last year here I did a reallygood job of just staying in the moment. I think mentally it''swhere I need to improve the most."

The last event of the year for Watney was the Children''s MiracleNetwork Classic and Watney got his first top 10 of the yearsince Zurich, finishing tied for ninth. His highest finishbefore that was a tie for 15th.

At the end of the year, Watney made a wise move, stepping awayfrom the game for a bit and reassessing his plan for 2008.

Watney came up with goals and areas of his game he wanted towork on with his coach, Butch Harmon.

"We had it planned what we wanted to do physically, but also Ineeded to get better mentally," Watney said. "I think that''s mybiggest weakness right now. We didn''t do any drills, but wetalked about situations."

It seemed to work. Watney started this season at the MercedesChampionship and finished tied for fifth.

"I feel good about my game," Watney said. "I played decent inFlorida a couple weeks ago. I played pretty well at Bay Hill,had a little streak going there on Saturday, but overall I feellike I''m playing pretty well."

This is Watney''s fifth full year on the PGA Tour and he knewgetting his first victory would be tough, but the second onehasn''t been easier.

"I would just say it''s different," Watney said. "I mean, whenyou first come out you definitely want to get the first win, butnow that I''ve done it, I may have higher expectations."

It has been a journey that Watney has enjoyed so far.

"Everything that''s happened, I would never trade it," Watneysaid. "It''s been a great year. Coming back here, I have somegreat memories."