The Tribune

BUBBA Watson, the American golfer, cruised to victory in the Tiger Woods Hero World Challenge on Sunday after an impeccable display of driving around the Albany course in western New Providence.

Taking a two-shot lead into the final round, Watson and his pink-headed driver never allowed the rest of the high-class 18-man field a sniff of victory as four birdies in the first seven holes kept everyone at bay. Never seriously challenged, Watson sailed home to a six-under par 66 and a three-shot victory over Patrick Reed.

Not even a dropped shot at the last hole after a wayward approach and fluffed chip could upset the smooth rhythm. He finished 25 under par (263), three ahead of Reed, four ahead of Ricky Fowler who had charged up the leaderboard with a joint best of the day 64, and five in front of world number one Jordan Spieth, who had won the previous year's event at Isleworth, Florida.

Watson, twice the US Masters champion, had not planned to play, turning 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 fourth in the world rankings.

"I guess I've got to thank Jason Day for backing out. I have to thank the US government and passport office for getting Dakota a passport so we could be here," Watson told the gallery as he received the trophy on the 18th green. "For us, it's a good ride, a fun ride."

It certainly looked that way.

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, set last year by Spieth last year.

Watson had seized control with seven birdies and an eagle on Saturday in ideal weather for a two-shot lead over Paul Casey, and he started fast with birdies on the second and third holes to keep his distance. No one got closer than two shots all day, and as Fowler made a move with a 30 on the front nine, Watson answered with two straight birdies to start the back nine, and then it was a matter of finishing.

Report and photographs in Tribune Sports tomorrow