GOLF
Watson wins by 2
Bubba Watson ended two years without winning with his third victory at Riviera. Watson seized control Sunday with two par putts as everyone around him was dropping shots, then pulled ahead by holing a bunker shot on the par-3 14th hole. He closed with a 2-under 69 for a two-shot victory in the Genesis Open at Los Angeles over Kevin Na and Tony Finau, and more tears on the 18th green. It was his first victory since he won at Riviera two years ago, rising to No. 4 in the world. Patrick Cantlay had a one-shot lead going to the back nine until he ran into tree trouble on the 12th and 13th holes. The UCLA alum could do no better than pars the rest of the way for a 71 to tie for fourth with Scott Stallings (68). Phil Mickelson shot 68 and tied for sixth. Austin Cook (Jonesboro, Arkansas Razorbacks) shot 72 and ended 1 over. David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) was 10 over for the tournament after a 74 on Sunday.
Durant prevails
Joe Durant birdied the final two holes -- and got some help from Steve Stricker -- to win the Chubb Classic at Naples, Fla., on Sunday. Durant shot a 5-under 67 for a four-stroke victory over Stricker (70), David Toms (65), Lee Janzen (68), Billy Mayfair (64) and Tim Petrovic (64). Tied with Durant with two holes left, Stricker dropped a stroke back when Durant birdied the par-5 17th. On the par-4 18th, Stricker hit into the water and made a double bogey for a three-shot swing. Durant closed with a 15-footer to finish at 19-under 197 on TwinEagles' Talon course. Durant eagled the par-5 13th and birdied the par-4 14th to take the lead at 18 under. He dropped into a tie with a bogey on the par-3 16th and Stricker's birdie on the hole. John Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) had a hole-in-one on the 16th in a 67. He finished eighth at 13 under. Glen Day (Little Rock) shot a 68 and was tied for 20th at 8 under.
TENNIS
Anderson tops Querrey
Top seed Kevin Anderson won the first New York Open on Sunday, beating No. 2 seed Sam Querrey 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1) for his fourth career ATP Tour title. The South African dominated the tiebreaker after a tight third set, winning the first six points and leading Querrey to slam his racket to the court in frustration. Anderson won his first title since 2015, when he made his only other appearance in the top 10 when he was ranked 10th for one week in October. Anderson won four consecutive three-set matches in the tournament's first year at Nassau Coliseum after moving from Memphis.
BASEBALL
Royals miss Hosmer
The Kansas City Royals came to camp Sunday and finally knew for sure: Eric Hosmer was gone. The move was not unexpected, but they had been dreading this day. Hosmer agreed to an eight-year, $144 million contract with the San Diego Padres this weekend, leaving the Royals with a big void at first base and in the clubhouse. "I had a pretty good sense about four days ago that it probably wasn't going to work out here," Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. "You still hold out hope. We began to develop a mindset that he is probably going in a different direction." Hosmer, 28, hit a career-best .318 last year with 25 home runs. He is a four-time Gold Glove winner and was the MVP of the 2016 All-Star Game, which was played in San Diego. Hosmer helped the Royals to back-to-back World Series appearances, and they won it all in 2015. "Eric Hosmer was a huge part of that," Moore said. "We're forever grateful for his leadership, what he meant and does mean to this organization. We'll do nothing but wish Eric and his family well. The Padres are getting a tremendous player. There are no ill feelings, whatsoever, and we move on."
Sports on 02/19/2018