AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Bubba Watson rewrote the script Sunday morning by reaching the final for the first time in the Dell Technologies Match Play and keeping Justin Thomas from going to No. 1 in the world.

Watson never trailed from the opening hole in their semifinal match at Austin Country Club, and he pulled away early on the back nine. Thomas didn’t make a birdie putt until No. 9, and the only other putt he made was at the end of the match when Watson had 3 feet for birdie to win, 3 and 2.

Watson advanced to an all-Georgia Bulldogs final against Kevin Kisner, who outlasted the putting-challenged Alex Noren in 19 holes.

Article continues below …

The scenario was familiar to Watson. The only other time he had reached the semifinals of Match Play was in 2011 at Dove Mountain in Arizona when the reigning PGA champion, Martin Kaymer, beat him to reach No. 1 in the world.

Watson was in good spirits for this match, and after a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 5 to go 2 up, he walked to the t..

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Bubba Watson was in high spirits for someone with such low expectations at the Dell Technologies Match Play.

Walking to the sixth tee, already 2 up in his semifinal match against Justin Thomas, he smiled and said, ”Just remember, I was beating No. 1 at some point.” Thomas only had to win that match to reach No. 1 in the world, and Watson figured that’s what would happen.

It was about the only thing he got wrong Sunday.

Article continues below …

Watson denied Thomas with a brand of golf that was close to flawless, and then he made the final look as though he were on vacation all along. Watson won his second World Golf Championship with the biggest blowout since the title match switched to 18 holes in 2011, a 7-and-6 victory over Kevin Kisner.

He sure didn’t expect to play only 28 holes in two matches on the final day at Austin Country Club, lead after every one of them, and pose with the trophy.

”There’s stories all different directions that didn’t go the way ..

After what was arguably the greatest opening weekend in the NCAA Tournament's history, chances are a letdown was imminent on the second weekend. Aside from Thursday's tight Sweet 16 contest between Nevada and Loyola-Chicago, it has certainly been an underwhelming few days of March Madness, but at least one of Saturday night's Elite Eight games featured a bit of controversy.
For much of the Michigan-Florida State game, the Wolverines were in control, leading by as many as 10 points with under three minutes to play. But the Seminoles mounted one last comeback, going on a 10-2 run to cut Michigan's lead to 56-54 with 24 seconds to play. Florida State hit some big shots, but it was Michigan's missed free throws that allowed its opponent back in the game, making FSU coach Leonard Hamilton's decision in the final seconds all the more confusing.
After going on a 2-for-6 stretch at the free throw line, Michigan's Duncan Robinson finally connected on two freeb..

CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) Cristie Kerr blew a five-stroke lead Saturday in the Kia Classic to set up a final-round showdown at Aviara Golf Club.

A day after shooting an 8-under 64 to open the big lead, Kerr had a 75 to drop a stroke behind playing partner Lizette Salas, Eun-Hee Ji and In-Kyung Kim. Kerr was tied with Caroline Hedwall, Wei-Ling Hsu and Cindy LaCrosse, and four players were another shot back in the final event before the major ANA Inspiration next week at Mission Hills.

”There is still Sunday,” Kerr said. ”Somebody else got to sleep with the lead.”

Article continues below …

The 40-year-old Kerr had a double bogey on the par-4 15th after snap-hooking a drive into the trees, and hitting a hybrid off a cart path.

”I just didn’t have it,” Kerr said. ”I’ve got to go work on my game a little bit. Kind of been a little bit of the story this year, a little bit of inconsistency. Just got to be grateful I’m only one back with a whole new Sunday.”

The 2015 winner at Aviara, she..

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Ian Poulter and Ernie Els are now connected in the worst way: Both thought they were going to the Masters.

Projections for the next world ranking showed Poulter right around No. 50 if he were to win his fourth-round match Saturday at the Dell Technologies Match Play, which would have put him in the Masters. He held on to defeat Louis Oosthuizen, 2 and 1.

In the short break before his next match, a group of reporters told Poulter he was assured of being in the top 50.

Article continues below …

He said he asked three or four times if they were sure and said they told him, ”Yeah, you’re definitely in.”

Not yet.

Turns out Poulter still needed to win one more match, and he received a text message letting him know where he stood. That soon became irrelevant when Kevin Kisner built an early lead and kept right on rolling to an 8-and-6 victory in the quarterfinals.

According to the world ranking, Poulter will be No. 51 next week.

”No. I’m not definitely in,” Poulte..

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) Steve Stricker moved into position for his second straight PGA Tour Champions victory, shooting a 3-under 69 in gusting wind Saturday to take a one-stroke lead in the Rapiscan Systems Classic.

Stricker won the Cologuard Classic three weeks ago in Tucson, Arizona, for his first victory on the 50-and-over tour. He tied for 12th the following week in the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship.

”It was a tough day today. It was a grind out there,” Stricker said. ”The wind made it very difficult. The greens are very quick, you just had to hit some shots. I made a couple putts on the back side that got things going a bit for me, so in a good spot heading into tomorrow.”

Article continues below …

Stricker had a 7-under 137 total at Fallen Oak, the Tom Fazio-designed layout with big, speedy greens. First-round leader Joe Durant followed his opening 66 with a 72 to drop into a tie for second with Jeff Sluman (67). Stephen Ames (68) and Billy Andrade (70) were 5 under.

Stricke..

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (AP) Brice Garnett took a six-stroke lead into the wind Saturday in the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. He came out with a two-stroke advantage.

Garnett bogeyed three of the final six holes in the wind and rain for a 3-under 69 and a 16-under 200 total.

”Once we made the turn coming back, all those holes coming in toward the north, it was all we wanted and then some,” Garnett said. ”I kind of took advantage of some holes going out, some holes downwind, some par 5s, and then we were just trying to leave it in the right spot those last four or five holes. Pars are pretty good scores on those holes.”

Article continues below …

Canadian Corey Conners was second after a 67, and Tyler McCumber also had a 67 to get to 12 under. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo dropped out Friday, finishing last in the 132-man field in his PGA Tour debut. He shot 77-82 playing as an amateur on a sponsor exemption.

A stroke ahead after each of the ..

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Justin Thomas has reached the semifinals of the Dell Technologies Match Play and is one round away from reaching No. 1 in the world.

Thomas made quick work of Si Woo Kim on Saturday morning, and then won three straight holes to start the back nine in a 2-and-1 victory over Kyle Stanley.

He would replace Dustin Johnson atop the world ranking if he reaches the championship match. In his way is Bubba Watson, who is back to playing like the two-time Masters champion.

Article continues below …

The other semifinal is between Kevin Kisner and Alex Noren of Sweden.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Justin Thomas is the top seed remaining in the Dell Technologies Match Play and performing like one.

Thomas went only 13 holes for the second straight match in a 6-and-5 victory over Si Woo Kim. He advanced to the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon and moved one step closer to a chance to become No. 1 in the world.

Thomas, the No. 2 seed, and seventh-seeded Sergio Garcia were the only top-10 seeds to advance out of group play. Garcia lost in the fourth round to Kyle Stanley.

Article continues below …

Ian Poulter won his fourth-round match against Louis Oosthuizen, putting him close to reaching the top 50 in the world. That would earn him a spot in the Masters.

Patrick Reed, one day after knocking out Jordan Spieth, lost to Alex Noren.

With everything competing for people's attention in 2018, it's difficult to make time for 18, or even 9 holes of golf. We live in busy times, so busy that just trying to fit in a 30-minute practice session at some point in the week is tough. And if you're a parent with young kids? Ha. Might as well tuck the clubs away in the garage for the foreseeable future.
RELATED: This NYC golfer's short game is definitely better than yours
Unless you're this dad, who will stop at nothing in order to get in some short game reps. And by nothing we mean chipping with one arm and holding his young daughter in the other. Check out the video of this proud multitasking papa:
https://twitter.com/ForePlayPod/status/977534171680780288
Impeccable form. And before you say “how is chipping with one arm going to help his short game?”, let's consult Tiger Woods, a pretty decent golfer who has done a similar drill in the past:
FacebookPinterestIf it's good enough for Tiger, it&#..