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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bubba Watson wins golf’s Hero Challenge

Associated Press

Bubba Watson wasn’t even planning to play in the Hero Challenge in Nassau, Bahamas. He left no doubt Sunday who was going to win.

Watson quickly stretched his two-shot lead by making four birdies in seven holes. He was never seriously challenged, sailing home to a 6-under 66 for a three-shot victory over Patrick Reed at Albany Golf Club and a trophy from tournament host Tiger Woods.

Watson turned down his invitation a few months ago because he didn’t have a passport for his newly adopted daughter, Dakota. But when PGA champion Jason Day backed out to stay home with his newborn daughter, Watson’s wife was able to expedite all the right documents for the family to come over to the Bahamas. He left with a $1 million payoff and a firm grasp on No. 4 in the world the rest of the year.

Watson didn’t make a bogey all weekend until the final hole, when he jokingly asked NBC field reporter Notah Begay how many shots he needed to win. He played it safe and made bogey, and all that cost him was the tournament record. Watson finished at 25-under 263, one shot from Jordan Spieth’s record last year at Isleworth.

Reed also had a 66 to finish alone in second, moving him to No. 10 in the world for the first time. Rickie Fowler had a 64 to finish third at 21 under.

European Tour

Australia’s Marc Leishman won the Nedbank Challenge for his first European Tour title, closing with a 5-under 67 for a six-stroke victory in Sun City, South Africa.

Leishman finished at 19-under 269 at Gary Player Country Club and earned $1.25 million. He lost a playoff this year in the British Open.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson was second after a 72.

LPGA

China’s Simin Feng completed a wire-to-wire victory in the LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida, to regain a full exemption.

The 20-year-old Feng closed with a 3-under 69 at LPGA International for an 18-under 342 total and a seven-stroke victory. The top 20 earned full cards, and Nos. 21-45 and ties received conditional status.

Grace Na and Thailand’s Budsabakorn Sukapan tied for second. Na shot 69, and Sukapan 70. Canada’s Maude-Aimee LeBlanc and the Philippines’ Cyna Rodriguez shot 71 to tie for fourth at 10 under.

Cheyenne Woods, Tiger Woods’ niece, had a 69 to jump for a tie for 24th to a tie for 13th at 3 under.

Megan Khang also earned a full exemption along with Cydney Clanton, Ashlan Ramsey, Laetitia Beck, Nontaya Srisawang, Gaby Lopez, Julie Yang, Sandra Changkija, Holly Clyburn, Bertine Strauss, Lindy Duncan, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras, Benyapa Niphatsophon and Jing Yan. Niphatsophon and Yan earned spots in a playoff with Christine Song.