( CNN ) -- Bubba Watson believes he can now challenge golf 's top stars after heading off three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson for an emotional victory at Torrey Pines in California on Sunday . The 32-year-old climbed 15 places in the world rankings to 18th as he claimed the second PGA Tour title of his career at the Farmers Insurance Open , while fellow American Mickelson reclaimed the No . 4 spot after finishing second on his first start this season . Watson started the final round one shot behind joint overnight leader Mickelson but carded an impressive five-under-par 67 , which included six birdies and just one bogey , to finish the San Diego tournament on 16 under . World number four Mickelson could have forced Watson into a playoff had he made eagle on the 18th hole , but a miss from 72 yards allowed his Florida-born opponent to celebrate victory by just a single shot . Mickelson 's fellow overnight leader Bill Haas faded badly on the final day , finishing on nine under after a 75 . For Watson the victory was particularly emotional following the death of his father to cancer last year , shortly after his only other PGA Tour win at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut . `` It means a lot , '' he told reporters . `` I 'll probably cry all day , just like last time . '' The 32-year-old said the win had given him the confidence to compete with the world 's best at major championships . `` In my mind , I believe I can be a top-five player . I want to . I want to be number one in the world . I want to win every golf tournament , '' he said . `` I want to perform every week . I want to be on every Ryder Cup team , every Presidents Cup team . I believe I can do it . I truly believe it . '' San Diego-born Mickelson , a three-time winner on the Torrey Pines course , said he was disappointed not to have made a better start to the season at his local tournament . `` I wanted to start the year off with a win , '' the 40-year-old said . `` But on the other hand , I played really good golf and gave myself an opportunity . `` I played well on Sunday and had a good tournament . Hopefully , I 'll use this as a springboard for next week . '' Former world number one Tiger Woods made a poor start to 2011 , finishing in a disappointing 44th position . In his first competition of the year , the event 's five-time champion failed to birdie any of the par-fives and finished with a round of 75 . `` I have some work to do . There 's no doubt about that , '' the American said . `` I hit it as pure as I could possibly hit it starting out , but got nothing out of it . '' Venezuelan rookie Jhonattan Vegas followed up his victory at the Bob Hope Classic last weekend with a third-place finish as he ended the tournament on 13 under along with American Dustin Johnson . Vegas shot 68 , and his third bogey of the day at 18 meant he shared the prize money with Johnson , who ended with two birdies in his flawless 66 . D.A . Points was fourth on 12 under after a 67 , while fellow Americans Nick Watney ( 63 ) , Anthony Kim ( 72 ) and Hunter Mahan ( 72 ) were tied for sixth on 10 under . Watney , starting on the back nine of the South Course , started with five successive birdies , picked up three more from 16 , and capped his round with an eagle three at the sixth .
America 's Bubba Watson claims second PGA Tour title at Torrey Pines , California . Watson beats compatriot Phil Mickelson by one shot to win Farmers Insurance Open . Emotional victory for 32-year-old Watson , who last year lost his father to cancer . Former world number one Tiger Woods finishes in a disappointing 44th place .