Watson bests Oosthuizen in Masters playoff
AUGUSTA, Ga., April 8 (UPI) -- Bubba Watson parred the second playoff hole Sunday, besting Louis Oosthuizen to win the Masters and claim the first major victory of his career.
After each golfer parred the first playoff on No. 18, they moved to the par-4 10th for the decisive hole.
South Africa's Oosthuizen launched a poor drive that landed in the first cut, but Watson's initial shot was even worse -- he pulled it far into the trees along the right of the fairway.
Oosthuizen came up short with his approach while Watson unleashed a spectacular second shot from the pine straw that landed within 10 feet of the pin.
The South African followed with a chip shot that ran 12 feet past the hole and then two-putted for a bogey.
Watson then proceeded to collect the green jacket with a two-putt for par.
The American set up the victory with four straight birdies on the back nine to finish regulation with a 4-under 68.
Oosthuizen, meanwhile, became the fourth player in Masters history to score a double-eagle -- he pulled off the feat on the second hole and turned in a steady round the rest of the way for a round of 3-under 69.
Both golfers finished regulation at 10-under 278.
Phil Mickelson couldn't overcome a triple-bogey six at the fourth hole and finished with an even-par 72, sharing third place with Peter Hanson (73), Lee Westwood (68) and Matt Kuchar (69) at minus-eight.
Tiger Woods ended at plus-5 after managing 3-over 75 Sunday.
Thousands attend Easter service with Tebow
GEORGETOWN, Texas, April 8 (UPI) -- About 15,000 people attended an outdoor Easter Sunday service in Texas where New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow spoke.
The crowd at the non-denominational Celebration Church in Georgetown worshiped at the musical service and then participated in a question-and-answer session with the devoutly Christian signal-caller, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
During the session, Tebow talked about his religious beliefs.
"[Jesus Christ] died on a cross for me publicly. ... Do we not have the same courage to get up and say: 'You know what? I'm going to put my trust in you publicly,'" Tebow said.
The congregation's pastor, Joe Champion, touted Tebow's popularity.
"In Christianity, it's the pope and Tebow right now," Champion said. "We didn't have enough room to handle the pope."
Serena Williams collects 40th career win
CHARLESTON, S.C., April 8 (UPI) -- Serena Williams racked up her 40th career victory Sunday, besting Czech Lucie Safarova in straight sets to win the Family Circle Cup tennis event.
The fifth-seeded Williams breezed past No. 9 seed Safarova 6-0, 6-1, moving her into third place in career WTA Tour wins among active players.
Williams trails now only her sister Venus (43) and Kim Clijsters (41) in that category.
She started strong by saving all four of Safarova's break point chances in the opening set and cruised the rest of the way.
Safarova, who was seeking her first title since 2008, became the first Czech player to reach the Charleston final since Regina Marsikova in 1980.
Isner nets U.S. upset over France
ROQUEBRUNE-CAP-MARTIN, France, April 8 (UPI) -- John Isner prevailed over Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a marathon match Sunday that boosted the United States into the Davis Cup semifinals.
Isner needed 3 hours, 21 minutes and four sets to emerge with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-3 triumph over Tsonga that handed the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie.
With the surprising win, the United States continued an underdog run through this year's Davis Cup competition. The U.S. squad also upended Roger Federer's Swiss team in February and has now won two straight clay-court ties on the road for the first time in 22 years.
The United States, which last claimed the Davis Cup in 2007, will head to Spain for September's Davis Cup semifinals.
The defending champion Spain advanced Sunday with a win over Austria.
Ferrer's win boosts Spain into semifinals
CASTELLON, Spain, April 8 (UPI) -- David Ferrer posted a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win over Jurgen Melzer Sunday, securing a Davis Cup semifinal berth for defending champion Spain.
Ferrer's three-set win handed Spain an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie.
Austria had stayed alive Saturday when the duo of Oliver Marach and Alexander Peya hammered out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (14-12) win over the Spanish tandem of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.
But following singles win Friday by Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro, the Sunday reverse singles win was enough to hand Spain its 23rd consecutive Davis Cup home court victory.
The Spanish squad will host the United States in the September semis.
The Americans advanced Sunday with an upset of France.
