Justin Thomas hoists the crystal after defeating Luke List in a playoff.

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida - PGA National's Champion course just

seems to produce high drama and winners of high pedigree. The 2018

edition of the Honda Classic was no different. For awhile it looked like

it might be Alex Noren's first victory on American soil, but lying two

short sided in the greenside rough beside the 18th green proved to

be too tough. After making just par, he posted the clubhouse lead at

7 under par, but it would prove to be one shot too many.

For Justin Thomas, a stiffed wedge from 117 yards on the 72nd

hole got him into the playoff after finishing at 8 under par. Luke List

bombed his tee shot, leaving only 4 iron for his approach. After hitting

the green, List two putted from long range to join Thomas in the sudden

death playoff (that began on the 18th tee as the sun was beginning to

set). In the playoff, List opened the door by blocking his tee shot way

right into the trees. He escaped, blasting out into the grandstands left

(and after getting a ruling and drop) he was left with a tough approach

from the rough. Justin Thomas had piped his drive and took on the risk -

successfully hitting the green in two (leaving a lengthy putt of approx.

35 feet for eagle). List hit a heroic approach from the rough to about

15 feet directly on the same line that JT had. Thomas lagged his putt

to within 4 feet, giving List a look and a chance to make his birdie and

possibly force another hole (or a win if he makes and Thomas misses).

List missed running his birdie attempt nearly 5 feet past the hole, JT

nailed his short birdie putt becoming the 2018 Honda Classic Champion.

After capturing his 8th career PGA Tour victory, Justin Thomas seemed

relieved and satisfied, "It was another level of difficulty, not only the

amount of people that I was trying to beat - but this golf course in

itself and Luke was playing unbelievable on that back nine. It was a

helluva a battle out there."

Tiger Woods continued his comeback with an impressive T12 finish after

rounds of 70-71-69-70 (Even).

Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html

Bubba Watson celebrates his 10th PGA Tour win.

Pacific Palisades, California - It had been two years since we saw this

version of Bubba Watson. It was 2016, and Bubba was carving golf shots

around famed Riviera on his way to career win #9. Since then, insert a

money grab, switching the most important piece of equipment in a shot

makers bag - the golf ball. Watson ditched his trusty Titleist Pro V1 for

a Volvik model, and just like that the magic was gone. He also had a

mysterious illness in 2017 that caused significant weight loss and a World

Ranking that dropped into triple digits. On Sunday, Watson looked as if

it was 2016 again, controlling his Titleist golf ball around the canyons and

eucalyptus trees on his way to a final round 69 and a two shot victory

over Kevin Na (69) and Tony Finau (69).

On the par 3 fourteenth, Watson blocked his tee shot into the greenside

bunker, he told caddie Ted Scott that he needed to use the bathroom,

and once playing partner Cam Smith informed him that the restroom is

on the next hole Watson replied "Nah, I'm just going to hole it and then

go straight to the bathroom." After he holed the shot, he looked over at

Ted Scott and yelled out "You called it.", but Scott had merely set the scene

by commenting to Bubba before the shot, "Man you haven't holed a bunker

shot in awhile." The hole out proved to be the knockout blow to the field,

Watson put the pedal down and finished off with a back nine 33 and 12

under par for his tenth career win (Third at Riviera).

An emotional Bubba Watson discussed reaching a goal, "It means a lot,

my goal was always to get 10 wins, that was my tenth win. There's so

many emotions going through my head right now, never know if you're

gonna be good again, never know if you'll ever lift a trophy again, I thought

about retirement. I can't believe I'm going to lift the trophy."

47 year old Phil Mickelson fired a final round 68 to finish tied for sixth at

8 under par with Cam Smith and Adam Hadwin.

This week the tour moves East to Florida for the Honda Classic.

Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html

Ted Potter jr celebrates after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am.

Monterey, California - Ted Potter Jr has had a tough go of it since winning

the 2012 Greenbrier nearly six years ago. During the week of the Canadian

Open in 2014, Potter slipped off a curb while wearing flip flops and broke

his ankle. In the time since, he had lost his form and his tour card, but

after firing a third round 62 at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Potter

found himself in the final group with world No.1 Dustin Johnson. It's

doubtful that anyone gave Potter a chance Sunday, but just like the other

wizard with the same surname, sometimes the underdog and his determination

can conquer all.

Potter did just that, after making birdie at the par 5 sixth, he chipped in on

the iconic par 3 seventh, giving him a two shot lead - he never looked back.

In fact, after Potter 3 putted for bogey on the first, he played flawless golf,

making par on the final 11 holes enroute to a final round 69 (-17) and a three

shot victory. Despite being out distanced by 40 - 50 yards on every tee shot,

Potter put on a clinic about how to play your own game, and not be in awe

of your opponents skills.

The central Florida blue collar guy who battled thru numerous mini-tours, and

a major injury is back in the winners circle defeating the World No.1 on one of

the grandest stages of them all. With his status now secure, and entry into the

biggest events now a certainty, the wizard is looking forward to a certain one in

April. "It's so good right now, Potter said. "To get my second career win after 5

years away from it, and going back to Masters will be a dream come true."

Phil Mickelson shot a final round 67 to finish in a 4 way tie for second with DJ,

Chez Reavie and Jason Day at -14.

Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html