Las Vegas resident Na takes home Shriners trophy

Kevin Na moved into a new home near Red Rock a week ago. Hopefully it came with a trophy case.

The 28-year-old Las Vegas resident will need one after his closing performance Sunday in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin.

Na, the third-round co-leader with Henderson resident Nick Watney, kept the lead for 18 tough holes to win for the first time in eight seasons on the PGA Tour.

In doing so, Na set a tournament record with his 23-under-par 261 total. He shot a final-round 6-under 65 to hold off Watney by two strokes and become the first local player to win the event in its 29-year history.

Consecutive birdies at Nos. 15, 16 and 17 -- the last a 42-footer -- clinched the victory and the $792,000 winner's check.

"It wasn't easy," said Na, who moved from 50th to 33rd in 2011 earnings with $2,259,465. "Nick was coming behind me, and it looked like at any time he was going to make a move. I tried my best to stay one step ahead of him."

Na and Watney began the day at 17 under. But as was the case Saturday, Na started fast, with birdies on three of his first five holes to reach 20 under.

"That was big," Na said. "On this course, you have to get off to a fast start, because like the guys out here say, 'If you're not making birdies, somebody else is.' I was able to stay ahead of the game, and I think that was the key for me cruising through to a victory."

Watney, who played bogey-free Sunday with a 67, tried to keep pace. He was never more than two shots back, and he was tied with Na after the par-3 14th, when Na made bogey and Watney par, leaving both at 20 under.

But the tournament turned on the next hole, when Na chipped to 3 feet and birdied the par-4 15th, while Watney made par. Na followed with another birdie at the par-5 16th, and his long birdie putt at the par-3 17th put him at 23 under.

"When I hit that putt, it was perfect, right on line where I wanted it," Na said. "When I made that putt, I felt like I had the tournament in the bag."

Watney couldn't match Na, going par-birdie-par on 15, 16 and 17, leaving him two shots behind with one hole left.

"Not making birdie at 15 was disappointing," said Watney, who made $475,200. "I didn't make as many putts as I would have liked, and he made a lot of putts. That was the difference.

"I came out this week with no real pressure. To be in this position and have a chance to win was exciting. I'm sure I'll learn from it. But it was Kevin's day. He deserves it."

Robert Garrigus, who began the round one shot behind Na and Watney, fell out of contention after playing the front in 1 under. He went bogey-double bogey to start the back nine, shot 72 and finished tied with six others for 16th at 269.

The closest anyone came to challenging Na and Watney was Tim Herron, who was one shot behind Na with four holes to play. But Herron made double bogey at the 16th and finished in a five-way tie for fifth at 267.

Na, who with the victory gained exempt status on the PGA Tour through 2013, said his extra work at TPC Summerlin the past couple of weeks paid off.

"I was out here every day," he said. "Obviously, I know the golf course. I know the greens. It's just a matter of making sure I'm more comfortable with the holes and the shots I wanted to hit."

Now he'll probably take some time to unpack boxes at that new house. And find a spot for the crystal championship trophy.

"I'm sure I'll be able to find a place," he said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.