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SPORTSMonday 7 December 2015
Bubba Watson wins Hero World Challenge by 3 shots
DOUG FERGUSON Woods, the tournament cause he didn’t have a
AP Golf Writer host, was watching Sun- passport for his newly ad-
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) day as Watson delivered a opted daughter, Dakota.
— A few years after Bub- performance that looked But when PGA champion
ba Watson made it onto familiar in its efficiency. Jason Day backed out to
the PGA Tour, he started Staked to a two-shot lead stay home with his new-
waking up early to play going into the final round, born daughter, Watson’s
practice rounds with Tiger Watson made four bird- wife was able to expedite
Woods. He didn’t ask a lot ies in seven holes and was all the right documents for
of questions of the world’s never seriously challenged. the family to come over to
No. 1 player who already He sailed home to a 6-un- the Bahamas.
had 14 majors when he der 66 and a three-shot He left with a $1 million
was 32. victory over Patrick Reed payoff and a firm grasp on
“I learn by watching and at Albany Golf Club in the No. 4 in the world the rest
listening,” Watson said. “So Hero World Challenge. of the year.
I just watched. How would Watson wasn’t even plan- “I guess I’ve got to thank
you not want to learn from ning to play this week. He Jason Day for backing out.
the best player of our gen- turned down his invitation I have to thank the U.S.
eration?” a few months ago be- government and passport
Tournament host Tiger Woods, left, poses with Bubba Watson
and Watson’s son, Caleb, after he won the Hero World
Challenge in Nassau, Bahamas on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015.
(J.D. Cuban/TWF via AP)
office for getting Dakota alone in second, moving
a passport so we could be him to No. 10 in the world
here,” Watson said. “For us, for the first time. Rickie
it’s a good ride, a fun ride.” Fowler had a 64 to finish
Even if it didn’t feel easy third.
to him, it sure looked that Spieth tried to stay in range
way. and was three shots behind
Watson didn’t make a bo- until he missed a 4-foot
gey all weekend until the birdie putt on the ninth
final hole, when he jokingly hole and never converted
asked NBC field reporter many chances after that.
Notah Begay how many He ended his year with
shots he needed to win. He a 67, and walking up the
played it safe and made 18th, he and caddie Mi-
bogey, and all that cost chael Greller allowed for a
him was the tournament quick reflection. “Michael
record. Watson finished said, ‘Hey, man, it’s been
at 25-under 263, one shot an honor to be in the pas-
from Jordan Spieth’s re- senger seat, sitting shotgun
cord last year at Isleworth. for this ride. Thanks for ev-
Reed also had a 66 to finish erything,’” Spieth said.q
