Jones surges to win PGA playoff

Associated Press

HUMBLE, Texas

Matt Jones told his caddy he was about to make a 42-yard chip-in on the first playoff hole at the Houston Open.

The Australian did just that on Sunday, earning his first PGA Tour win in spectacular fashion — and changing his immediate travel plans in the process.

Jones, who began the day six shots off the lead, shot a final-round 66 and ended the tournament 15 under to earn his first trip to the Masters with the dramatic win over Matt Kuchar.

He earned nearly $1.2 million for the win, also making amends for a disastrous missed putt last September that appeared destined to keep him from playing at Augusta National.

Destiny, however, had other plans for the 33-year-old who played collegiately at Arizona State.

“Going to Augusta is amazing,” Jones said. “The win means everything to me right now because that’s what we play for is to win. To have Augusta as a reward for that win is amazing.”

LPGA

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.

Lexi Thompson left Michelle Wie behind — off the tee and on the leaderboard in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

The 19-year-old Thompson beat Wie into Poppie’s Pond, too, capping the breakthrough major victory with the traditional victory leap into the water near the 18th green. “It’s just a dream come true,” Thompson said.

Thompson closed with a bogey-free 4-under 68 for a three-stroke victory. She birdied four of the first nine holes to open a five-stroke lead and parred the final nine.

“This is what I’ve worked so hard for,” Thompson said. “This was one of my goals coming into the year, to win a major. I’ve always seen myself winning a Kraft Nabisco. It’s such a huge honor with all the history behind the tournament.”

Wie was second, birdieing the final hole for a 71.