Presidents Cup looms for runner-up Watney

Nick Watney is ready to take some time off from golf.

After playing five straight weeks and with the Presidents Cup looming next month in Australia, the 30-year-old Henderson resident needs to get some rest, sharpen his game and recharge his emotional batteries after finishing two shots behind champion Kevin Na of Las Vegas on Sunday at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin.

"I definitely need to tighten up my wedge game (for the Presidents Cup)," Watney said after his final-round 4-under-67 for a 21-under 263 total. "I didn't hit a lot of good wedges (Sunday). I had a few opportunities and hit a lot of them 20 feet, which obviously is not getting the job done. So I need to work on that.

"I struck the ball decently. It just wasn't my week, I guess, with putting. I made a few (Saturday), but I just really couldn't make many (Sunday). So wedges and putter, I guess, are my keys."

Watney is excited about representing his country, but knows he'll have to perform well.

"Yeah, I think it's definitely cliche, but I just have to take care of myself and win the matches that I can," he said. "We're definitely going over there to win, and that's what we want to do. But as far as I'm concerned, I just need to try and win my matches, and hopefully we'll get enough points."

n PIERCY PLAYS WELL -- While two local residents battled for the championship, another Las Vegas resident -- Scott Piercy -- finished with a 5-under 66 for a 16-under 268 total and 10th-place tie.

The Bonanza High School graduate made 22 birdies -- including the final two holes -- and just six bogeys in earning a check for $97,533. Piercy, who won the Reno-Tahoe Open in August, has made $1,231,357 this year, 70th on the money list.

n REBELS ROUNDUP -- Three former UNLV players made the cut, and Chad Campbell had the best finish, firing a 5-under 66 Sunday to tie for 23rd at 270. Bill Lunde had a 69 and tied for 29th at 271, and Charley Hoffman had a 66 to tie for 40th at 273.

Campbell won $38,060, Lunde $28,600 and Hoffman $15,420.

n BATTLE OF CAMERONS -- In a weird twist of fate, three Camerons -- Cameron Percy, Cameron Tringale and Cameron Beckman -- were paired together for Sunday's final round. The day belonged to Percy, who shot 66, while Beckman and Tringale each shot 73.

Normally, golfers are paired up for the final round. But because of television, the final round was played in threesomes so the leaders could finish within the three-hour window for The Golf Channel.

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