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SPORTS Tuesday 27 March 2018

BUBBA WATSON so good," Watson said. the conversation he had
Continued from Page 17 Watson caught him on a with his wife and those clos-
I enjoy playing golf be- day when Thomas couldn't est around him, when he
cause that's what I'm do- buy a putt, and Watson contemplated retirement.
ing as a kid. I'm a kid who made his share of them in Watson stays plenty busy
happens to be 39 now, and a 3-and-2 victory that sent with two children and busi-
somehow I keep getting him into a championship ness interests that range
trophies." match that wasn't much from a candy shop to a
His victory at Austin Country of a contest. He faced car dealership to a minor
Club was remarkable for a Kevin Kisner, who survived league baseball team.
number of reasons. a 19-hole semifinal victory "There's a lot of time I could
He doesn't like this format. over Alex Noren. An hour be wasting — not wast-
Watson reached the semi- later, Kisner couldn't hit a ing, but improving those
finals his first year of the shot where he was aiming businesses," Watson said.
Match Play, but he never and lost six of the first seven "Or I could be struggling
got beyond the fourth holes. The only reason he to make cuts on the PGA
round in his next six appear- didn't lose all seven was Tour. So that was my op- Bubba Watson holds his trophy after winning the during the fi-
ances. That might explain because Watson missed a tion. Which one?" nal round at the Dell Technologies Match Play golf tournament,
Sunday, March 25, 2018, in Austin, Texas. Watson defeated Kev-
why he booked a vacation 4-foot birdie putt. It goes back to his vision, in Kisner.
starting Sunday. What satisfies Watson the and the reason he was at- Associated Press
Even when he reached the most is where he was head- tracted to golf in the first
final round, he never imag- ed last year. He was not in place. over five days, and only over Kisner.
ined he would be playing a good spot. "I want to be creative," Wat- once did he get to the 18th And now he heads to Au-
for the title. His semifinal Watson still keeps to himself son said. "I want to let my hole. What pleased him the gusta National, where the
match was against Justin the health issues last year mind run wild on the golf most was staying focused two-time Masters cham-
Thomas, who could have that caused his weight to course. That was my pas- on all but about four or five pion is sure to be one of
reached No. 1 in the world drop to 160 pounds. He sion. And the other things shots for the week, most of the favorites. Watson was
with a win. Watson saw that won't attribute his worst are my passion, but right those exceptions on the No. 117 in the world when
match going differently. year on the PGA Tour to now I still feel like I have the 13th hole that didn't suit his he left Pebble Beach six
"Justin Thomas making ev- playing the different colors ability to play golf." eye. Fittingly, that's where weeks ago. He heads off
ery putt and me losing, him of a Volvik golf ball, which He played it as well as any- the trophy presentation to his vacation, delayed by
looking at me and going, he no longer uses. And he one at the Match Play. took place when he fin- one day, at No. 21 in the
'I'm No. 1.' Truly, he's playing doesn't get into details of Watson played 109 holes ished up his 7-and-6 victory world.q

Eun-Hee Ji aces 14th hole in Kia Classic victory

CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) — good. Soon as I saw the Stinger for the victory. She with my first good tourna- fairway — the drivable par-
Eun-Hee Ji had a hole-in- ball fly, 'That's going to be has four LPGA Tour victo- ment of the year." 4 16th.
one to dramatically fin- good.'" ries, including the 2009 U.S. Salas finished with a 69 Jane Park (67), Kris Tamu-
ish off Cristie Kerr and the Ji finished with a 5-under 67 Women's Open. playing alongside Ji in the lis (68) and Kim (70) tied
other challengers Sunday at Aviara for a two-stroke "This is my eighth hole in final pairing. for fourth at 13 under, and
in the Kia Classic. victory over Kerr and Lizette one, but I never have a car "I'm really pleased," Salas Anna Nordqvist (69), Jeong
Her lead cut from four Salas in the final event be- for hole-in-one," Ji said. said. "Things just went Eun Eun Lee (69) and Wei-Ling
strokes to one, Ji aced the fore the major ANA Inspira- The 40-year-old Kerr closed Hee's way today. I kept Hsu (70) were another
152-yard 14th with a 7-iron, tion next week at Mission with a 68. She shot a 64 on fighting and I woke up a stroke back.
the ball bouncing and roll- Hills. Friday to take a five-stroke little late, started making Inbee Park, the Founders
ing into the hole, to push "I hit it pretty well today," Ki lead into the weekend, birdies on the back nine." Cup winner last week in
her advantage to three said. "I am driving the ball then had a 75 on Saturday Ji followed the ace with Phoenix, shot a 69 to tie
shots. really nice. I holed nice to drop a stroke behind Ji, three-putt bogey on the for 18th at 9 under. Singa-
"It was little downwind and putts." Salas and In-Kyung Kim. par-4 15th and 18th. She pore winner Michelle Wie
I hit the same club as yes- Ji finished at 16-under 272. "I did my best," Kerr said. "I had five birdies in a seven- (69) was 8 under, and top-
terday," Ji said. "My ball The 31-year-old South Kore- had a tough day yester- hole stretch that ended on ranked Shanshan Feng (72)
end up right there where an player earned $270,000 day. It would've taken a No. 10 to open a four-stroke was 7 under. Lexi Thomp-
the hole is. So, I just choose and two Kia cars, a Sorento super low round today to lead. Ji hit all 18 greens in son (72) tied for 58th at 2
7-iron and I hit it really for the hole-in-one and a catch Eun Hee. I'm happy regulation and all but one under.q