Oldies are goodies in Champions Skins Game

By Fred Guzman

Between them, they are a combined 132 years old and by far the oldest team in this year’s Champions Skins Game.

But Jack Nicklaus, 71, and the junior member of his tandem, the 61-year-old Tom Watson, combined to cash in on $310,000 in prize money yesterday to capture the 24th annual event at the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course.

Nicklaus and Watson won seven skins over the weekend, the same number as Bernhard Langer and senior skins rookie Mark O’Meara, who two-putted for par on the second extra hole to collect the final $100,000 and finish second with $300,000.

The teams of Ben Crenshaw and Fuzzy Zoeller as well as Fred Couples and Nick Price each took two skins and $80,000.

Meantime, in San Diego, a lefty won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. But it wasn’t “that” lefty.

Bubba Watson sank clutch putts on the final two holes, including a 12-foot birdie on 18, to beat Phil Mickelsen by a single stroke.

Watson finished with a 5-under 67 on Sunday for a four-round total of 16-under 272. Venezuela’s Johnny Vegas and Dustin Johnson tied for third, three strokes off the pace.

Tiger Woods closed with a 75 and finished at 287 to tie for 44th on a course where he’s enjoyed great success during his career.