Watson clinches Colonial

Tom Watson fired a final round four-under-par 66 to win the MasterCard Colonial by two strokes in Fort Worth, Texas.

The 48-year-old, who ended a nine-year victory drought when he won The Memorial in 1996, won his 35th tournament, including five Opens, in his 26 years as a professional.

"Anytime, at my age, that you get near the lead, it's fun," said Watson.

His 66 at the hot, windswept Colonial Country Club came on the heels of rounds of 68, 66 and 65 for a 15-under 265 total, two strokes ahead of 28-year-old Jim Furyk, who closed with a 68.

Jeff Sluman slipped into third at 269, closing with a 69, while rookie sensation Harrison Frazar lost his magic touch after holding no worse than a share of the lead since Thursday. He closed with a 71 for 270 and was fourth.

Watson took the top prize of £275,000, hiking his 1998 earnings up to £550,000 and his career winnings to over £6 million.

The winning check was the largest of his career and was appropriate that it came in Texas, where he has won six times.

Leaders At The Pga Colonial After Final Round:

Laura Davies won the LPGA Skins Game for the second time yesterday despite erratic play.

She claimed three skins worth £75,000 to give her £168,000 in the two-day competition.

Davies sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-four 13th for £25,000 and clinched the title on the par-four 15th with another 12foot birdie putt to earn £50,000.

"This was fun," Davies said. "There was a skin won on eight of the nine holes, which is very unusual, maybe unprecedented."