CHAMPIONS TOUR Watson’s still got the fire

Mitsubishi Electric Championship, Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii

The 60-year-old Watson birdied the last two holes to edge Fred Couples for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.

“This is what I live for in my career – to do what I did today,” Watson said. “I don’t think I’ll have too many more, but I had this one.”

Watson, coming off a win with Jack Nicklaus in the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game at Kaanapali, closed with 7-under 65 to finish at 22-under 194 for his 13th Champions Tour title and his first victory in 34 career starts in Hawaii on the two tours.

From the right rough, Watson hit a spectacular second shot that stopped 4 feet from the hole on the 18th green. After Couples missed his 15- birdie putt, Watson calmly sank the winner and waved his cap to the roaring crowd, ending a memorable duel he dubbed “young kid versus old fart.”

“It wasn’t over until he said it was over,” Couples said.

Watson nearly clinched the British Open last year, before losing in a playoff with Stewart Cink, with the whole word routing for him. He ended the season without a title, though, on the Champions Tour in 2009.

“I didn’t win last year. That’s how I judge my season,” he said. “If I win a golf tournament, it’s a success. So I started off the year with a success.”

Couples, who was trying to win on his Champions Tour debut, wasn’t too upset with the runner-up finish. “I had a wonderful time. I think I was 21-under par and didn’t win the tournament. That hasn’t happened too many times.”

Michael Allen finished in third place at 18-under, Tom Lehman fourth at -16 and Hale Irwin fifth at -14.

Watson, who rocked the world of sports with his magical run at the British Open last year, showed he’s still got the desire to win, and the game to go with it. He’ll be one of the men to beat for the Charles Schwab Cup, the year-long competition which he leads with 315 points.

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CHAMPIONS TOUR Watson’s still got the fire

CHAMPIONS TOUR Watson’s still got the fire

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