Rose holds off charges to capture WGC at Doral

Justin Rose was a group ahead of the leader Bubba Watson when the final round of the World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship teed off at Doral on Sunday.

The three-time PGA Tour winner would have to make up more than his fair share of strokes today. Against more than one player to take home his first WGC title.

54 hole leader Watson gave away strokes early and often to not only his playing partner Keegan Bradley, but to Rose as well who was in front of him already on-course.

Rose came out with a birdie on No. 1 to get his round under way. He would add another circle to his card before his first slip of the day.

The Englishman bogeyed the par-four, 6th. Making the turn at one-under, 35.

He began his back-nine as he did the front, with a birdie on No. 10.

Steady golf over the rest of his back-nine was just what Rose needed to do. As the leaders; who were playing behind him, were doing everything they could to give up strokes to Rose as they found their way inward.

Watson and Bradley seemingly were struggling and giving the tournament away until Watson reached the 18th hole.

Knowing that Rose bogeyed the finishing hole, the long bomber [Watson] knew a birdie would force a playoff to decide the event.

A smashed drive to the right rough left Watson just at 190 yards to the green.

Watson carved a shot out of the Bermuda rough that landed on the green and tracked to the back left pin location giving him about a nine-foot birdie putt to force the playoff.

He would push it to the left, missing his chance at a playoff, thus crowning Rose the winner of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

When asked how he felt about getting this victory, maybe the biggest of his career. Rose said, "Yeah, it really is a great day. It's been a great week. It's been a great two weeks to be honest with you. I've been very focused on just sort of seeing this whole Florida Swing as like a body of work and not really trying to put too much focus on any individual tournament."

"And I kind of knew I was playing well and if I just kept out of my own way for the most part and kept thinking well and doing the right things, I had a feeling something good might happen in these four weeks; and I'm kind of including the next two weeks, as well."

"For this little beauty to show up on my mantle piece so early in the season, definitely a fantastic feeling, and you know, it sets up a very exciting year."

Not only did Rose have to make up a three-shot deficit against Watson. He then had to make up a two-shot deficit against Bradley on his way to victory.

Another stunning down to the wire finish in 2012 on the PGA Tour.