Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

Watson birdies last two holes to beat Couples by one

Sun 24th, January 2010

Kaupulehu-Kona, HI (Sports Network) - Tom Watson and Fred Couples staged a classic battle on Sunday and it was Watson, who birdied the final two holes, that walked away with the title at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship.

Watson fired a seven-under 65 at Hualalai Golf Club to better Couples by a single stroke. Watson ended at 22-under-par 194 to earn his first win since he teamed with Andy North to capture the 2008 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.

"Last year, I didn't win and that is the goal. I started off the right way this year with a win," said Watson, who collected $315,000 for the victory.

Couples shot eight-under 64 to end alone in second at minus-21.

Trailing by a stroke heading to the 17th tee, Watson dropped his tee ball within 10 feet after Couples left himself about 35 feet for birdie. Couples putt just missed, but Watson's didn't. His birdie effort found the bottom of the cup to tie Couples for the lead at 21-under.

"That's what I'm out here to do. Hit that shot when it counts under pressure," Watson said of his tee shot at 17. "I hit a beautiful shot."

Watson's tee ball at the last stopped in the right rough, while Couples was in the fairway. Watson, playing first, played a wedge to four feet putting the pressure on Couples.

The former Masters champion hit a solid shot within 14 feet, but his birdie effort slid just low. He tapped in for par setting the stage for Watson.

The 60-year-old Watson knocked in the four-footer for his 13th Champions Tour title, denying Couples the win in his official tour debut.

"I hit not a very good drive at 18, but I played the right shot in," Watson explained. "I hit a wedge from 147 yards that landed on the front of the green and it rolled all the way to the hole."

"The last two holes, that was pretty fun to watch," Couples said. "I bailed out on 17, I figured let him try and make a birdie and he hit it left of the flag and made a nice putt. At 18, from where he was, I knew he was going to hit a pretty good shot, and what a shot he hit."

Reigning Senior PGA Champion Michael Allen briefly tied for the lead, but ended four strokes back at 18-under 198 after his third straight six-under 66.

Tom Lehman closed with a 68 to take fourth at minus-16, while Champions all- time wins leader Hale Irwin also shot 68 Sunday to take fifth at 14-under 202. Keith Fergus (67), Phil Blackmar (70) and Mike Goodes (69) shared sixth at minus-13.

Couples tied Watson for the lead at 16-under with a birdie on No. 8 and things got really interesting around the turn.

"I got it up and down twice at eight and nine, which really saved my round," Watson admitted. "I hit two bad shots on both holes and got it up and down for par."

On the par-five 10th Allen and Lehman, playing one group ahead of Couples and Watson, both made birdie to grab a piece of the lead.

It was all Couples and Watson from there.

Couples dropped his second shot inside seven feet at 10 and rolled in the eagle try after Watson had two-putted for birdie. Watson tied Couples atop the leaderboard on 11 as he poured in a 25-footer for birdie.

At the 12th, Couples and Watson both made birdie to move to 19-under. Watson two-putted for birdie from long range on the par-five 15th, while Couples got up and down for his birdie from over the green.

Couples took a one-shot lead at the 16th though. He converted a birdie putt nine feet out, while Watson's birdie try from two feet closer slid just low.

However, it was Watson that would claim the title thanks to birdies on the final two holes.

NOTES: Bernhard Langer, the 2009 champion, shot three straight 68s to tie for ninth at 12-under-par 204...U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin, who also made his tour debut, tied for 13th at minus-10 after a final-round 71...There were just 12 rounds over par all week and only three players finished over par for the event.