Genesis Open Golf: Three-putts derail Anirban Lahiri; Bubba Watson ends title drought

A series of three-putts came in the way of a strong final round for India’s Anirban Lahiri, who slipped to tied 26th on the final day of the Genesis Open golf tournament.

The Indian ace, who is trying to get into the world’s top-50 and earn a berth into the Masters, shot three-over 74 and slipped from tied 13th to tied 26th.

Lahiri, who had holed a whole lot of long and crucial putts on Saturday, bore the brunt of the firm Sunday greens at the Riviera, and it cost him dearly. He had four birdies but also gave away seven bogeys, many of them with three-putts.

Looking for a strong finish, Lahiri began well with birdies on first and third holes at which point a Top-10 finish looked realistic. Then came a series of three putts and he dropped bogeys on sixth, seventh and eighth. He turned in 1-over 36. Things were even rougher on back nine, as he bogeyed four times against two birdies, both of which came on par-5s.

At the top, Bubba Watson ended his two-year title drought with his third win at Riviera. As everyone else dropped shots, Watson gained control with two excellent par putts and then slowly …read more