Watson thrashes Kisner to win second WGC title
It was just over a month ago when two-time major champ Bubba Watson was languishing outside of world’s top 100. Now five weeks later, he has won a second PGA Tour tournament this season with victory at the the $10 million WGC – Dell Match-Play Championship in Austin, Texas.
Watson showed that his comeback win at the Genesis Open in mid-February was no fluke after handing out a 7&6 thrashing to fellow American Kevin Kisner at the Austin Country Club this morning. It is the largest winning margin since Tiger Woods defeated Stewart Cink, 8&7, in 2008.
The win was Watson’s second WGC victory and his 11th PGA Tour title.
WITB – Bubba Watson
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Driver: Ping G400 LST (8.5º)
Fairway Wood: Ping G (14.5º)
Irons: Ping iBlade (2 iron), Ping S55 (4-PW)
Wedges: Ping Glide 2.0 (52-12, 56-12, 60-06)
Putter: Ping PLD Anser (Blast Finish)
“It’s absolutely amazing,” he said. “You know, you don’t think about lists or anything, you just think about trophies and trying to win. And having two majors, and now having two World Golf Championships are the closest things to majors.”
“You’re talking about the top in the world were here this week. So, what an honour and a privilege, overwhelming sensation to know that I have another trophy at the house.”
Bubba Watson (Credit: PGA Tour)
With only two weeks to go until the Masters, two-winner Watson has the bookies scrambling to shorten their odds. The 39-year-old is now in the company of the likes of Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson with Tiger Woods still remarkably leading the pack as favourite.
The victory has also moved Watson well inside the top-8 automatic qualifiers for the US Ryder Cup team with the three-time team member keen to attract the attention of team captain, Jim Furyk.
“I’m also excited to win as I’m trying to get Jim Furyk to notice me,” grinned Watson in his post-match press conference.
“That’s really all I’m trying to do. Vice-captain or playing, I want to be there but then I’d rather be playing.”
Watson earned his place in this morning’s grand final following his defeat of World No. 2 Justin Thomas, 3&2, in the semi-finals where Alex Noren lost a tightly-fought match on the 19th hole to Kisner.
Notable players to miss the the top 16 included world number one Dustin Johnson (0-3-0), who lost all three of his matches, Jordan Spieth (2-1-0) and Rory McIlroy (1-2-0).
Only one Australian, Cameron Smith, made it through to the round of 16 where he was defeated by England’s Tyrell Hatton, 2&1.
Jason Day won only one match and finished third in his group while Marc Leishman could only manage half a point and finished last in his group, which included eventual winner, Bubba Watson.
The PGA Tour stays in Texas for the Houston Open before heading to Augusta, Georgia for the Masters.
