Watson is way too strong for Kisner

GOLF: Bubba Watson will head to Augusta National as a strong contender for a third Masters title after thrashing Kevin Kisner 7&6 to win the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

After preventing Justin Thomas becoming world No 1 with a 3&2 victory over the US PGA champion in the semi-finals, Watson took ruthless advantage of a poor performance from Kisner to cruise to a second World Golf Championships title.

Kisner looked to be feeling the effects of needing 19 holes to beat Alex Noren in the other semi-final and bogeyed four holes in succession at Austin Country Club after Watson won the first with a birdie.

It took Watson missing from four feet for birdie on the sixth to stop the rot and until the 11th for Kisner to win a hole with a long-range birdie, but Watson’s birdie on the par-5 12th secured a comprehensive success.

Watson, who won the Masters in 2010 and 2012, said: “It was one of those things. I got off to a hot start and just focused on golf. There were about four or five shots for the week where I wasn’t committed and kind of blanked out so that’s pretty good over 100 and something holes.”

Thomas admitted the chance to become world No 1 had played heavily on his mind during his semi-final defeat to Watson.

With defending champion Dustin Johnson crashing out in the group stages, Thomas needed to reach the final to end Johnson’s 58-week reign and become the 21st No 1 since rankings began in 1986.

Noren had the consolation of winning the play-off for third place, beating Thomas 5&3.