Harold Varner 111s victory putt was so long it needed a visa with the American sensationally denying good friend and double Masters winning Bubba Watson to capture the Saudi International.
Varner 111 first landed his second shot into the downwind par-5 18th just on the front edge of the green in two and then putting to a pin located the back left corner on the Royal Greens course.
The American, one behind on the final tee, just needed to two-putt the last to ensure a play-off.
What happened next was remarkable with Varner 111s 92-foot finding the bottom of the cup also for an eagle ‘3 handing him 111 a round of 69 to win by a shot at 13-under, and immediately have the now new World No. 44 jumping about the course in excitement, and also into the jubilant arms of his England caddy Chris Rice.
Watson had set the clubhouse lead himself in landing a downwind 65-degree wedge to 12-feet at the last for an eagle ‘3’ and seized the lead with a score of 64 for a 12-under total.
Watson had finished three groups ahead of Varner 111 and while looking to win for the first time since a victory at the 2018 Travelers, the 43-year-old Florida golfer jumped for joy and raced out to greet Varner 111.
The dramatic eagle putt that sealed the victory for Harold Varner III ⛳😍@SaudiIntlGolf @HV3_Golf #SaudiIntlGolf #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/1RIAI4jIaW
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) February 6, 2022
The pair then walked side-by-side to the scorer’s hut ahead of the prize presentation where the enormity of Varner 111’s only second success, since capturing the 2016 Australian PGA title was beginning to sink in.
“That last putt was just awesome and I felt sure when it rolled down the hill towards the flag that in a worst-case scenario I would just putt out for a birdie and we’d go to a play-off and I’d get him there”, said Varner 111.
“Then it went in and the emotions came out, and those emotions that when I play with my boys that is the emotion I want to see. That’s why you play as competition is the greatest thing in the world.
“It’s just awesome to win and it’s been pretty crazy since it happened, and I am just trying to take it in.
“Winning never gets old and there have been times when things have not gone my way, but I am just super-thrilled to win today. I am not only delighted for myself but everyone either on my team or in my corner. They know who they are. My mum has already called so it’s great”.
And no sooner had Varner made that remark and his phone rang. It was his wife Amanda ringing from their home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and just after 9 am local time
He responded: “Hey what are you doing?”. His wife replied and then Varner 111 turned his phone around to show the press assembled in the room and said to his wife ‘Watch this’. There was then wild applause with Varner 111 saying to his wife: “I have to go back. I love you”.
Among the text messages, he is expecting to receive one also from good friend, Tiger Woods.
Watson, while disappointed not to have won, was genuinely excited for his friend and with the duo having spent many a night at the official hotel this week in the company of each other.
“It’s a dear friend of mine. It’s a guy I truly love. It’s a guy that I want to help”, said Watson.
“He’s new — when I say new, we know Harold, but it took me — it was five years until I won my first. So this is a guy that’s just starting to play better and better each year. We see his name a little bit more. He’s getting comfortable. He’s won before down in Australia, so just so happy for him”.
