Back on Top! - Nick Watney and Nick Price Regain Their Forms

~ The Third Time's a Charm - Last Sunday, Nick Watney rediscovered his winner's touch, while also obtaining the first World Golf Championship of his career ~

Although two years may not seem like that long of a time period between the obtainment of two seperate PGA TOUR victories, for fans and family members of Nick Watney, the past two years have, at times, progressed rather slowly.

Back in February 2009, Watney had earned the second PGA TOUR victory of his career at the Buick Invitational, which was contested at the ever-challenging Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. Following his one-stroke victory over three-time PGA TOUR winner John Rollins, Watney was perceived as one of America's most talented young professionals - an indvidual who would not only claim further tournament victories during the coming years, but would also contend for major championships...and soon.

Fast forward to March 2011. Prior to his most recent victory at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Watney had become more familiar with close calls and top-ten finishes than with tournament victories. Last season, he played consistently well while obtaining two top-tens in major championships, at both The Masters and The Open Championship. However, golf analysts and fans alike were certainly surprised that such a promising talent like Watney had not acquired more tournament success during his career.

With his two-stroke over Dustin Johnson in last week's WGC-Cadillac Championship, Watney will likely regain the level of confidence that he will need throughout the coming months as he prepares to capture more PGA TOUR tournaments and to become a regular contender in each of one of golf's four major championships, both this season and well into the future.

In the meantime, Nick Price will always be remembered for the extraordinary career he had as a member of the PGA TOUR. With 18 PGA TOUR victories, including three major championships (1992 PGA Championship, 1994 The Open Championship, and 1994 PGA Championship), as well as the attainment of the number-one world golf ranking in the mid 1990s, Price was undoubtedly one of the most talented and successful golfers of the 1990s.

Even though Price rarely plays in PGA TOUR and European Tour events now, he is a full-time member of the Champions Tour. Since joining the tour in 2007, Price has enjoyed his fair share of tournament success, with victories in three regular events prior to his win at Sunday's Toshiba Classic.

But, considering Price's natural golfing capabilities and past record on the PGA TOUR, he has been unable to become one of the Tour's leading golfers, much like he was expected to become prior to attaining full-time membership on the Tour.

While winless in his first two seasons on the Champions Tour, Price was frustrated by his lack of tournament success, as well as his inability to capture one of the Tour's major championships.

So, will Price's frustation finally end this season? Will his one-stroke victory over Mark Wiebe at the 2011 Toshiba Classic initiate the self-confidence and consistency that he has been searching for throughout the past four seasons? Will 2011 be the season that Price proves once again that he is one of golf's brightest stars?

It will be interesting to watch both Nick Watney and Nick Price continue to strive towards their goals of becoming one of the most elite members of each of their tours. As each golfer possesses natural golfing talents, past tournament success stories, and unwavering confidence, Watney and Price should both be expected to further expand their trophy collections during the next eight months of the 2011 PGA TOUR and Champions Tour seasons.

Undoubtedly, Nick Watney and Nick Price appear to be "back on top" and ready to prove that their talents can be utilized fully on the golf course, through the continuous attainment of tournament victories.

Nick Watney PGA TOUR Victories

~ 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
~ 2009 Buick Invitational
~ 2011 WGC-Cadillac Championship

Nick Price Champions Tour Victories

~ 2009 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am
~ 2010 Liberty Mutual Champions of Golf (with Mark O'Meara)
~ 2010 Principal Charity Classic
~ 2011 Toshiba Classic

Nick Price's Career Accolades

~ Three-time Major Champion (1992 & 1994 PGA Championship, 1994 The Open Championship)
~ World Golf Hall of Fame Member
~ Eighteen-time PGA TOUR Winner
~ Five-time European Tour Winner
~ 1993 and 1994 PGA TOUR Player of the Year
~ 1993 and 1997 Vardon Trophy Winner