Oakville, Ont. – Fresh off a victory this past weekend, Bubba Watson has confirmed his intention to compete in the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, July 20-26 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.

Watson outlasted Paul Casey in a two-hole playoff this past Sunday to win the 2015 Travelers Championship, his second PGA TOUR win in 2015 (World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions). The eight-time PGA TOUR winner will be making his sixth RBC Canadian Open appearance and his fourth at Glen Abbey. The long-hitting lefty is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings.

With his addition to the field, Watson will be one of 14 PGA TOUR 2014-15 winners who have confirmed their intention to compete for Canada’s National Championship including Sangmoon Bae (Frys.com Open), Robert Streb (The McGladrey Classic), Charley Hoffman (OHL Classic at Mayacoba), Brooks Koepka (Waste Management Phoenix Open), Alex Cejka (Puerto Rico Open), Matt Every (Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard), J.B. Holmes (Shell Houston Open), Chris Kirk (Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial) and Fabian Gomez (FedEx St. Jude Classic).

Team RBC returns to Glen Abbey…

Four of the in-year winners confirmed for Glen Abbey are members of Team RBC including World No. 5 Jim Furyk (RBC Heritage) who is a two-time former Canadian Open champion. Fellow Team RBC member and World No. 8 Jason Day is a two-time winner in 2015 with a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open and partnering with Cameron Tringale to win the Franklin Templeton Shootout. World No. 26 Brandt Snedeker (AT&T Pebble Beach  National Pro-Am) who won the 2013 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey along with Canadian Nick Taylor (Sanderson Farms Championship) round out the list of Team RBC in-year PGA TOUR winners.

Other Team RBC ambassadors set to compete at Glen Abbey include World No. 16 Matt Kuchar, World No. 30 Ryan Palmer, World No. 48 Graeme McDowell, World No. 65 Luke Donald, and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els. In addition, Canadian Team RBC members Graham DeLaet, David Hearn, Adam Hadwin and Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike Weir will be among the fan-favourites competing for Canada’s National Open Championship.

“The quality and depth of talent on today’s PGA TOUR has never been stronger and we’re thrilled to welcome World No. 3 Bubba Watson, World No. 5 Jim Furyk and World No. 8 Jason Day among our 14 in-year winners confirmed for this year’s RBC Canadian Open,” said RBC Canadian Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Along with Canadian and international Team RBC athletes, our field is coming together and no doubt, golf fans will be treated to a world-class showcase at Glen Abbey.”

Other notables who have confirmed their intention to compete in the $5.8M RBC Canadian Open include World No. 40 Hunter Mahan; World No. 57 Marc Leishman; two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen; 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover; 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink; 12-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Leonard; nine-time PGA TOUR winner Stuart Appleby and six-time PGA TOUR winner Rory Sabbatini.

Most recent players confirmed to compete in the 2015 RBC Canadian Open include:

Bubba Watson

• Eight-time PGA TOUR winner including the 2015 Travelers Championship
• Two-time Masters champion (2014 & 2012)
• Currently ranked No. 3 in the world and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings

Jim Furyk

• 17-time PGA TOUR winner
• Two-time  RBC Canadian Open champion (2006 & 2007)
• Currently ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 23 in the FedEx Cup standings

Jason Day

• Three-time PGA TOUR winner
• Currently ranked No. 8 in the world and No. 13 in the FedEx Cup standings

J.B. Holmes

• Four-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2015 Shell Houston Open
• Currently ranked No. 13 in the world and No. 9 in the FedEx Cup standings

Matt Kuchar

• Seven-time PGA TOUR winner
• Currently ranked No. 16 in the world and No. 27 in the FedEx Cup standings

Chris Kirk

• Four-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2015 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
• Currently ranked No. 17 in the world and No. 19 in the FedEx Cup standings

Brooks Koepka

• 2015 PGA TOUR winner of the Waste Management Phoenix Open
• Currently ranked No. 22 in the world and No. 18 in the FedEx Cup standings

Brandt Snedeker

• Seven-time PGA TOUR & 2012 FedEx Cup winner
• 2013 RBC Canadian Open champion
• Currently ranked No. 26 in the world and No. 6 in the FedEx Cup standings

Ryan Palmer                               

• Three-time PGA TOUR winner
• Currently ranked No. 30 in the world and No. 45 in the FedEx Cup Standings

Hunter Mahan

• Six-time PGA TOUR winner
• Withdrew from the 2013 RBC Canadian with the 36-hole lead to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter
• Currently ranked No. 40 in the world and No. 67 in the FedEx Cup standings

Marc Leishman

• Currently ranked No. 57 in the world and No. 75 in the FedEx Cup standings

Charley Hoffman

• Three-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2014 OHL Classic at Mayakoba
• Currently ranked No. 44 in the world and No. 78 in the FedEx Cup standings

Graeme McDowell

• Two-time PGA TOUR winner
• 2010 U.S. Open champion
• Currently ranked No. 48 in the World and No. 152 in the FedEx Cup Standings

Matt Every

• Two-time PGA TOUR winner, including the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard
• Currently ranked No. 55 in the world and No. 51 in the FedEx Cup standings

Luke Donald

• Five-time PGA TOUR winner
• Currently ranked No. 65 in the world and No. 122 in the FedEx Cup Standings

Ernie Els

• 19-time PGA TOUR winner
• Four-time major winner (1994 & 1997 U.S. Open; 2002 & 2012 Open Championship)
• Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
• Currently ranked No. 107 in the world and No. 172 in the FedEx Cup standings

Graham DeLaet

• Currently the top-ranked Canadian on the World Golf Rankings (No. 78)
• Currently ranked No. 83 in the FedEx Cup standings
• Competing in his 6^th RBC Canadian Open

David Hearn

• Currently ranked No. 177 in the world and No. 88 in the FedEx Cup standings
• Competing in his 13^th RBC Canadian Open

Adam Hadwin

• PGA TOUR Rookie
• Topped the 2013-14 Web.com money list
• Currently ranked No. 174 in the world and No. 114 in the FedEx Cup standings
• Competing in his 6^th RBC Canadian Open (finished T4 in 2011)

Nick Taylor

• PGA TOUR Rookie
• 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship champion (first Canadian to win on PGA TOUR in six years)
• Former World No. 1 Amateur
• Competing in his 3^rd RBC Canadian Open

Mike Weir

• Eight-time PGA TOUR winner
• 2003 Masters champion
• Inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2009
• Competing in his 25^th RBC Canadian Open

Retief Goosen

• Seven-time PGA TOUR winner
• Two-time U.S. Open winner (2004 & 2001)

Lucas Glover

• Three-time PGA TOUR winner
• Winner of the 2009 U.S. Open

Stewart Cink

• Six-time PGA TOUR winner
• Winner of the 2009 Open Championship

Justin Leonard

• 12-time PGA TOUR winner
• Winner of the 1997 Open Championship and 1998 Players Championship

Stuart Appleby

• Nine-time PGA TOUR winner

Rory Sabbatini

• Six-time PGA TOUR winner

Additional player and tournament announcements will be made in the coming weeks. The final field for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open will be released on Friday, July 17, 2015 after 5 p.m. ET.

For information about tickets, FREE 17-and-under junior passes, volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality for the 2015 RBC Canadian Open, please visit www.rbccanadianopen.com.

When asked for my ‘Handicap’, how should I answer? Have you ever been asked on the golf course: “what’s your handicap?” Responses vary.  Some say: “a bad 8,” or “a happy 14,” or joke, “my whole game.” My personal favourite is the following reply: “I’m a 22.9 and willing to engage in any friendly wager”!

Golf certainly lacks clarity in some of its definitions.  You don’t have to look far: how about club or golf club, do you mean the club I belong to and where I play my golf, or the weapons I use to damage and advance the ball with?  Handicap is another term that has multiple meanings in golf.  It can refer to a Course Handicap or it can refer to a Handicap Factor (in the United States, this is known as Index).  The term handicap has been around for ages; its origins generally relate to odds making (and yes that usually means wagering) in several sports, but none so deeply as horse racing and golf.

First, let’s look at the two terms. Then, we’ll define them and explain their meanings to clear up any misconceptions and confusion.  A Handicap Factor is Golf Canada’s service mark that indicates a measurement of a player’s potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty.  It is expressed as a number taken to one decimal place (e.g. 19.4); this number is then used for conversion to a Course Handicap.  There are a couple of items worth exploring here:

1. Potential scoring ability in a Handicap Factor calculation, we only use a certain number of LOW scores, and for most avid handicappers, it’s the better half of your most recent 20 scores. Many assume it’s an average of all your scores, but that’s not true.
2. The conversion to a Course Handicap. A Course Handicap is Golf Canada’s mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust the player’s scoring ability to the level of scratch golfer or 0-handicap golf. A Course Handicap is determined by applying the player’s Handicap Factor to a Course Handicap Table or Course Handicap Formula. Check out Golf Canada’s App that does this for you automatically: www.golfcanada.ca/mobile; this is the conversion process.

Herein lies the beauty of the Golf Canada Handicap System.  From course to course, even tee to tee, your Handicap Factor “travels” with you and the system allows you to still have a fair and equitable match/ game NO MATTER the ability of the players involved.  The higher the slope rating the more strokes the higher handicapped player simply receives.

One final thought.  I know some leagues love to cook up their own version, and believe they’ve created the perfect Handicap system—even making claims to have eliminated sandbagging.  I’m not picking on any of them, but it would take a small dissertation to explain why alternative methods aren’t better than tracking and using a Golf Canada Handicap Factor.  Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough space here.  Any club, group or league properly administering the Golf Canada Handicap System experiences its benefits; all other versions are simply pretenders.

I hope this clears up any confusion and that you can educate some of your playing partners on the difference between Handicap Factor (transportable number) and Course Handicap that which you are awarded that day for that course and tee. The next time someone asks you “what’s your Handicap” you can provide a detailed answer.

MILTON, Ont.  – The third and final RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier concluded in fine fashion as Richard (Sunil) Jung fired a 10-under-par 62 to tie the course record at the Copperhead Course at RattleSnake Point Golf Club, in Milton, Ont. The Markham, Ont., product claimed medalist honours to earn an exemption into the 106^th playing of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club, July 20-26, 2015.

Jung opened and closed his round with eagles to accompany seven birdies. He finished four strokes clear of second place to book his first trip to Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship.

“This is my first event in six months, my plan was to hit fairways, greens and go for the putts where I could. There were some tricky holes. I had a hard time thinking in the present all day because I was so pumped and having so much fun at the same time,” said Jung, a former member of Canada’s National Development Team from 2009 to 2011.

The 22-year-old recognizes the opportunity before him and is excited to play in his first RBC Canadian Open. “It’s definitely an honour for any Canadian to ever play in the Canadian Open. I’ve had many Monday qualifiers for this event. I’m really thrilled and happy to be able to play the (RBC Canadian) Open, it’s a Canadian’s dream to play in this event.”

A total of 144 players competed in the 18-hole stroke play qualifier at RattleSnake Point Golf Club with 24 players, representing the top-15 per cent of the field and ties (17 competitors at 2-under and seven tied at 1-under), advancing to the RBC Canadian Open Final Qualifier to be staged Monday, July 20 at Heron Point Golf Links in Alberton, Ont.

Daniel Kim of Toronto capitalized on a seven birdie performance to finish T2 at 6-under par. Also tied for second was Mississauga, Ont., native Jonathan Kim-Moss who finished his last three holes with an eagle and two birdies. The pair earned their spots in the Monday qualifier, alongside amateurs Branson Ferrier of Barrie, Ont., and Chase Komaromi of Delaware, Ont., who both shot 67 for a share of fourth.

The two-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Open Championship features three regional qualifying events held in Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario, followed by the final qualifying competition on Monday, July 20.

The previous two qualifying events held June 1 at Club de Golf St-Raphäel in Île-Bizard, Que., and Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club in Squamish B.C., awarded 25 players with spots into the Final Qualifying event.

A minimum of four players will gain entry into the 2015 RBC Canadian Open through the Monday qualifier.

For additional information and full results from the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier in Ontario, click here.

Former British golfer and CBS analyst Peter Oosterhuis says he has early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The 67-year-old Oosterhuis went public with the news in Golf World’s digital magazine Monday with hopes it can bring attention and raise money toward finding a cure.

Oosterhuis is a six-time Ryder Cup player from England who became part of the golf broadcast team for CBS Sports. He announced in January he was stepping away from television work.

He first disclosed his diagnosis at a fundraiser last month at Pebble Beach for the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist Neurological Center. It was founded in 2011 by CBS Sports host Jim Nantz, whose father was afflicted with Alzheimer’s for 13 years before he died in 2008.

Oosterhuis says he had been aware of some memory loss affecting his work on CBS and Golf Channel.

“Maybe in the course of my commentary, I wasn’t giving a lot of information like I used to. I would just talk about what’s on the screen,” he said. “But I didn’t feel like I had those things ready in my mind to call on to make a point like I used to.”

He said a neurologist in Charlotte, North Carolina, diagnosed him last July, and for several months, Oosterhuis and wife Roothie chose to tell no one. His wife says going public at the Pebble Beach fundraiser was important for both of them.

“It gave us a chance to say goodbye to everybody in a beautiful way, and it gave us the new focus of being part of Jim’s incredible effort,” Roothie Oosterhuis said. “As human beings, it took awhile to come back to ourselves. But now, even though we don’t like the cards we were dealt, we are ready to play them. Because we are basically happy people, and we can still have happiness.”

Oosterhuis was tall for his time at 6-foot-5 with an elegant swing. He won seven times on the European Tour and also won the Canadian Open. He lost in a playoff in the 1974 Monsanto Open to Lee Elder, a victory that led Elder to become the first black to compete in the Masters.

Oosterhuis had a 14-11-3 record in the Ryder Cup, a remarkable achievement considering he never played on a winning team.

TORONTO – TSN announced today that acclaimed golf and curling journalist Bob Weeks has signed an agreement to work with the network on a permanent full-time basis.

Starting today, Weeks will contribute regularly as a senior reporter and analyst for TSN’s slate of championship golf and curling events, which includes all four of golf’s Majors as well curling’s Season of Champions events.

“I’ve worked with TSN for many years and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to join the network on a full-time basis,” said Weeks. “I’m looking forward to expanding my role in producing great content for Canadian sports fans.”

“Bob has been a regular face on the network for years now and we’re thrilled to add Canada’s preeminent golf and curling journalist to our team year-round,” said Ken Volden, Vice-President and Executive Producer, Studio Production and News and Information, TSN. “Bob’s passion and enthusiasm will be a great permanent addition as we expand our coverage of the biggest events in golf and curling.”

Weeks, who most recently oversaw print, TV, and radio properties as Vice President, Content and Editorial Director of SCOREGolf, has worked with TSN since 2000. Though Weeks will no longer serve in his dual roles at SCOREGolf, he will maintain a relationship with the brand moving forward, as he will continue to host SCOREGolf TV this year and contribute a column to SCOREGolf Magazine.

“SCOREGolf has been a part of my life for 28 years and while I’m sad to leave, I’m happy our relationship will continue on several fronts,” added Weeks.

“We wish Bob nothing but the very best into the future and thank him for the great contribution he has made to the SCOREGolf brand and to the entire CCMC family,” said SCOREGolf president Kim Locke.

Weeks is an accomplished curling journalist, having won three Scotty Harper Awards for the best curling story in Canada, and is an honorary life member of the Ontario Curling Association. Weeks’ recognition for his contributions to the golf community include his 2014 inductions to both the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame and the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame, as well as the 2013 Dick Grimm Award for a significant lifetime contribution to Canadian golf.

In addition to  changing his Twitter handle, Bob also took to the social network for a brief and understated comment, writing…

A day of change.

— Bob Weeks (@BobWeeksTSN) June 29, 2015

TORONTO, Ont. – Golf Canada regrets to announce that Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. has withdrawn from the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games golf competition.

Statement from Brooke Henderson:

“Since turning professional in December, my goal has been to play in as many LPGA Tour and Symetra Tour events as possible to earn LPGA status and avoid the Q-School process. After winning the Four Winds Invitational last week, LPGA Commissioner Whan graciously granted me membership on the Symetra Tour which allows me the opportunity to earn my way onto the LPGA. I am now guaranteed a spot in a professional tournament the week of July 13. Based on my goals for the year, this is an opportunity I cannot pass up.”

“As an ambassador for golf in Canada, I am disappointed to miss the Pan-Am Games. I am so appreciative for the support I receive every week from Golf Canada and fans across the country. I wish the competitors all the best and look forward to cheering them on.”

Statement from Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson:

“We are disappointed to lose Brooke Henderson from the Pan Am golf team but we respect the rationale that went into this very difficult decision.  Brooke is committed to her goal of reaching the LPGA Tour and her recent play including her victory on the Symetra Tour last weekend has provided a unique opportunity that will help her achieve that goal. We will continue to be a strong supporter in her career.”

Golf Canada is currently working with the Canadian Olympic Committee to determine who will join previously confirmed team member Lorie Kane on the Women’s golf team at the Pan Am Games.

The men’s Pan Am golf team will be comprised of 18-year-old Austin Connelly, currently the 13^th ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings along with reigning Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur champion and recently crowned Ontario Mid-Amateur champion Garrett Rank of Elmira, Ont.

Golf Canada’s National Women’s Team Head Coach Tristan Mullally of Straffan, Ireland along with National Men’s Team Head Coach Derek Ingram of Winnipeg, Man will serve as coaches for the 2015 Pan Am Golf Team.

The Pan Am golf competition will run July 16-19 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

The field for the 2015 Pan Am Golf Competition will include 32 women and 32 men competing in a women’s individual, men’s individual and mixed team competition (low female and male score combined).

Cromwell, USA – Graham DeLaet, past RBC Canadian Open champion Carl Pettersson, Brian Harman and Team RBC’s Luke Donald have qualified for the 144^TH Open at St Andrews through the Open Qualifying Series at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands today.

American Harman finished on 15-under-par for the championship to finish one shot behind Bubba Watson and Paul Casey, who went into a two-hole play-off, which was won by Watson. Canadian DeLaet finished on 14-under-par and Sweden’s Pettersson was one shot further back.

Donald finished on 11-under-par, one behind Zach Johnson who is already exempt for The Open, and alongside Americans Bo Van Pelt and Mark Wilson. The Englishman secured the final qualifying place by virtue of his higher position in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Harman turned in one-over-par and enjoyed an eventful back nine, trading four birdies and two bogeys for a one-under-par 69. The 28-year-old former Walker Cup player from Georgia won the 2014 John Deere Classic to qualify for The Open at Royal Liverpool where he finished tied 26th.

Despite getting off to a bad start with a double bogey at the 1st hole and finishing with a bogey, DeLaet produced four birdies to finish with a one-under-par 69. The 33-year-old, who played in the 2013 Presidents Cup, will make his third consecutive appearance at The Open.

Pettersson carded five birdies with just one dropped shot for a four-under-par 66 to finish on 13-under-par overall.  The 37-year-old from Gothenburg is a five-time winner on the PGA TOUR and has one European Tour victory. He will make his eighth appearance in The Open, with his best finish coming at Royal Liverpool in 2006 where he was tied eighth, and his first at St Andrews.

Former world number one Donald was concerned that a bogey at the last hole would prove costly but the 37-year-old had earlier notched up three birdies and an eagle on the par five 13th to post a four-under-par 66 and finish on 11-under-par for the championship. The Englishman has made 14 appearances in The Open with his best finishes of tied fifth coming at Turnberry in 2009 and Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012.

“I’m really happy,” said DeLaet. “It’s an awesome Championship and it’s at the home of golf so I can still leave here with a smile on my face. I was standing on the 18th tee knowing that I had the third spot in The Open. When I hit my tee shot in the bunker all I could think was, ‘I really hope this doesn’t cost me my spot’. But it ended up being just enough.”

CROMWELL, Conn. – Bubba Watson made an 8-foot birdie putt on the second hole a playoff Sunday to outlast Paul Casey and win the Travelers Championship for the second time.

Casey overcame a three-stroke deficit with five to play, tying Watson at 16-under 264 in light rain at TPC River Highlands.

But the 37-year-old Englishman, playing the tournament for the first time, lost his chance at the title while playing the par-4 18th for the third time when his third shot from a greenside bunker flew over the green and landed on the cart path.

Watson hit his 160-yard approach just to the right of the hole to set up his winning putt.

“I hung on, and that’s what you have to do sometimes to win,” Watson said.

Watson had a chance to win in regulation. But the two-time Masters champion bogeyed the 17th, while Casey closed with three birdies on the final five holes, sandwiched around a bogey on 15.

Casey watched in the scoring trailer with 9-month-old son Lex on his lap as Watson made a 3 1/2 -foot par putt to force the playoff.

Watson finished with a 67, and Casey shot 65.

“There are always ifs and buts and could haves,” Casey said. “But the goal was to give myself a chance to win, and I did that.”

Watson has eight PGA Tour titles, also winning a playoff in the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in November at the start of the season. He won the Travelers in 2010 in a three-way playoff for his first win on the PGA Tour and is 5-1 in playoffs.

“It’s just about staying calm,” he said. “That’s what you have to do, you just breathe and walk slower, take some deep breaths and focus on the fact that no matter what you still come in second place.”

This was the sixth time since 2004 the tournament has been decided in a playoff.

Brian Harman, who had a one-stroke lead after 54 holes, had a 69 to finish a stroke out of the playoff. After 39 straight holes without a bogey, he had back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 9 and 10 to fall two strokes behind Watson. His birdies on the final two holes were not enough to catch Casey and Watson.

But the finish assured the 28-year-old from Georgia a spot in the British Open, along with Canadian Graham DeLaet, who finished two shots back, Carl Pettersson who finished fifth at 13 under, and Luke Donald, who tied for seventh at 11 under. Sixth-place finisher Zach Johnson already had an exemption into the field.

“I’ve been thinking about that tournament for a long time and really trying to look at a way to get in there,” Harman said. “This one burns a little bit, but that definitely helps the sting.”

The Travelers was the first of three PGA Tour events where finishers not already exempt can get into St. Andrew’s. There also are four spots available at The Greenbrier Classic and one at the John Deere Classic.

Watson became the sixth multiple winner of this tournament, joining Billy Casper (1963, 1965, 1968, 1973), Arnold Palmer (1956, 1960), Paul Azinger (1987, 1989), Phil Mickelson (2001, 2002), Peter Jacobsen (1984, 2003) and Stewart Cink (1997, 2008).

Watson started strong with birdies on his first two holes, and seemed to lock up the championship on the 13th, where he sank a 39-foot putt for eagle, his longest made putt of the tournament.

His approach at 14 ended up 13-feet right of the pin, but his birdie putt ended up on the front lip of the cup.

“I was hoping nobody else would birdie, but Paul Casey decided he wanted to birdie some holes to make it interesting,” Watson said.

Casey began the day tied for fourth, but moved up quickly. His second shot at the 431-yard third hole bounced once from 126 yards out and went straight into the hole for an eagle.

He made a 6-foot birdie putt on 16, and a 15-footer on 17 to stay in contention. Watson lost his lead after hitting his approach on 17 to the right of the hole behind two bunkers.

Both made par on the first playoff hole. But on the second, Watson’s tee shot when down the middle, and Casey found bunkers on his first two shots.

“It does remind me of 2010, where coming down the stretch I had to hit some good shots and I didn’t,” Watson said. “I wish it was a lot easier, but a victory is a victory.”

He moved a closer to his career goal.

“My whole goal in my career was to get 10 wins,” he said. “I need two more wins.”