Woodland makes transition to big time

Woodland captures first Tour title

American Gary Woodland booked his ticket to the Masters after winning his first PGA Tour title at the Transitions Championship in Florida.

Woodland, who only took up the game eight years ago, became the third first-time winner already this season after carding a final-round 67 for a one shot victory over compatriot Webb Simpson.

The 15-under par winning total presents the 26-year-old with an invitation to Augusta National, where his big-hitting prowess and soft putting touch could make for an interesting marriage at the Masters in two weeks time.

But the race to the winning line did not come easy, in fact it was so wild that Woodland did not make a par on the back nine until the 18th hole - a crucial 10-foot par putt that proved to be the difference once Simpson missed a 20-foot par putt on the same line.

"I can't come out here and hit the golf ball 900 yards and win," said Woodland, exaggerating only slightly.

"I was very conservative this week, laid back for almost all four days and just tried to get the ball in the fairway, get it on the green and let the putter do the work. That's what I'm learning.

"One thing that helped me was putting, and today it saved me."

Woodland, who played college basketball at Washburn until deciding to transfer to Kansas to play golf, becomes the first player to earn his inaugural PGA TOUR title at the Innisbrook Resort.

Having already showed his potential earlier this season when narrowly losing out to Jhonattan Vegas in a playoff at the Bob Hope Classic, the $990,000 winning cheque deservedly vaults Woodland to third in the FedExCup standings and number 53 in the world.

Overnight leader Justin Rose, a two-time winner from last year, fell away with four straight bogeys from the seventh to finish tied fifth.

Nick Watney, coming off a World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship title at Doral last week, played with Woodland but could not match his putting touch.

The world number 14 failed to make a single birdie in his final round and closed with a 72 for tied 13th - marking the first time he has been out of the top 10 all season.