SAN DIEGO — Nick Watney appeared to be along for the ride yesterday until making two birdies over the final three holes to take advantage of a late collapse by John Rollins and win the Buick Invitational.

Watney knocked in a 40-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-3 16th, then completed his five-shot rally with a two-putt birdie on the 18th hole. He closed with a 4-under 68 for his second career victory.

Rollins let this one get away.

He had a three-shot lead with five holes to play until making a bogey with a poor chip on the 14th, another bogey from a plugged lie in the bunker on the 16th, and failing to hit the green on the par-5 18th, leading to a par. He shot a 74.

"It's unfortunate that I came in with a three-shot lead and couldn't get the victory," Rollins said.

Watney finished at 11-under 277 — the same total Ryuji Imada had last year when he was runner-up by eight shots to Tiger Woods, who has not played since knee surgery after winning the U.S. Open in June at Torrey Pines.

Watney never took the lead until the final shot of the tournament, a 2 1/2-foot birdie putt to complete a five-shot comeback for his second career victory.

"If you're going to lead for one hole, this is the time to do it," he said.

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, closed with a 71—286 and earned $64,236. Parker McLachlin, a Punahou alum, finished at 79—296 and earned $10,759.

HULL TRIUMPHS

GOLD COAST, Australia — Australia's Katherine Hull won the Australian Ladies Masters yesterday, closing with a 4-under 68 for a five-stroke victory.

The 26-year-old had a 16-under 272 total on the Royal Pines course. Australia's Tamie Durdin (70) and South Korea's Ryu So-yeon (67) tied for second.

Six-time winner Karrie Webb shot a 73 to tie for 30th at 3 under.