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Known for being one of the slowestplayers on the PGA Tour, Kevin Na had to wait until almost theend of his eighth year on the U.S. circuit before celebratinghis first victory.

The South Korea-born American finally broke through afterholding off the challenge of world number 11 Nick Watney at theLas Vegas Open on Sunday, triumphing by two shots at the TPCSummerlin. [ID:nN1E79105F]

It wasnt easy, Las Vegas resident Na told reportersafter earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a chequefor $792,000 with his long-awaited victory.

Nick was coming right behind me, and it looked like anytime he was going to make a move. I tried as best as I could tostay one step ahead of him. The putt on 17 basically sealed thedeal for me.

Na rolled in a 43-footer at the par-three 17th to stretchhis lead to two shots, a putt he prayed would break rightshortly before the ball reached the cup.

It was left off the start and the putt goes right at theend, the 28-year-old said. It was perfect, right on linewhere I wanted it, just left of the hole about three inches.

Then I just kneeled down on one knee and was just prayingthat thing would come back. And sure enough it did. When I madethat putt, I felt like I had the tournament in the bag.

Na, whose family moved from South Korea to the U.S. when hewas eight, had endured 210 previous starts on the PGA Tour andseveral near-misses before breaking into the winners circle.

I had a lot of thoughts going through my head throughoutthe whole round today, he said after recording three birdiesin the last four holes. I pictured myself winning, picturedmyself failing, but mostly I pictured myself winning.

GREATER APPRECIATION

Asked if he appreciated his maiden PGA Tour victory evenmore because of his eight-year wait for success, Na replied: Ithink so.

The biggest heartbreak for me was losing a playoff in 2005in Tucson. I was so young. I had just turned 21 and lost in aplayoff.

I always think: Would I be in a different position if Ihad won then? I dont know. But you know what, eight years wasworth the wait.

Na, who became the top junior player in the U.S. beforeturning professional at 17, had been a runner-up three times onthe PGA Tour before winning the 2011 Las Vegas Open.

A player known for his deliberate pre-shot routine, Naintroduced TV viewers this week to his occasional whiffedshot when he ends up aborting his swing.

During Saturdays third round, he produced what looked likean air shot on the 15th tee, though PGA Tour officials laterruled there was no intent to execute a strike.

Ive done it on TV a few times and I do it probablyonce or twice a round, Na explained. My (swing) transition iswhat Im always working on and my bad habit is I get quick.

On the way down, if my transition doesnt feel right, Itry to stop, and obviously its impossible. The only way for meto stop is I have to come up and go over the ball.

Na said he had spoken several times with PGA Tour officialsto let them know that his aborted shot had become a habit.

We had a big talk, and they said: Its not a big deal. Aslong as you dont make contact (with the ball), it doesntmatter, he added.