Bubba Watson was going to stay home in Florida.
Instead, Watson made the trip to the Bahamas and wound up closing with a 6-under-par 66 on Sunday to capture the Hero World Challenge by three strokes over Patrick Reed at Albany Golf Club in New Providence, Bahamas.
Bubba turned down an invitation to play in the tournament that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation a few months ago because his newly-adopted daughter, Dakota, did not have a passport, but changed his mind when Jason Day of Australia pulled out of the event recently.
“I guess I’ve got to thank Jason Day for backing out,” said Watson, who claimed his 11th pro victory, including five in the last two years. “I have to thank the U.S. government and passport office for getting Dakota a passport so we could be here. For us, it’s a good ride, a fun ride.
” … I want my name to be close to that leaderboard every tournament, every year, so people are always talking about Bubba Watson, about how consistent he is and good he is. That’s my whole focus right now, every year getting better and better.”
Reed finished with bogey-free rounds of 65-66-66 to wind up solo second, while Rickie Fowler was four shots back in third after a 64 that included six birdies on the front nine, followed another stroke behind by top-ranked and defending champion Jordan Spieth, who closed with a bogey-free 67.
Bill Haas carded a second straight 68 and was six shots behind in a tie for fifth with Paul Casey of England, who totaled 70.
Brooks Koepka was seventh after a 68, while J.B. Holmes shot 64 and tied for eighth with Jimmy Walker, who birdied seven of the last 10 holes for a 67.
Adam Scott of Australia posted a 69 to tie for 10th with Chris Kirk, who had a 72, while Zach Johnson was 11th after a 72 and Justin Rose of England made 10 birdies in a course-record 62 that left him in solo 12th.
