WGC Match Play: Bubba Watson wins title, Justin Thomas misses out on World No 1

Bubba Watson beat Kevin Kisner 7&6 to claim the title

Bubba Watson claimed victory at the WGC Match Play in Texas as Justin Thomas' hopes of becoming world number one ended in a semi-final defeat.

Thomas, 24, had won all five of his previous matches this week and needed to reach the final to replace Dustin Johnson at the top of the rankings.

But the American - who won the 2017 US PGA Championship - was three down after six holes to Watson and lost 3&2.

World number 39 Watson defeated Kevin Kisner 7&6 in the final.

Kisner had beaten Sweden's Alex Noren in their semi-final, with Noren then defeating Thomas 5&3 in a match for third place.

Johnson went out of the event on Thursday, losing all three of his group matches.

Watson, 39, joins Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els as the only players with multiple major and WGC wins, having now added to his 2014 HSBC Champions title.

"Kisner has been playing well all week but you could tell the energy was gone after his match this morning," the 2012 and 2014 Masters champion said.

"I got off to a hot start, I was so focused on committing to the shots. There were only about four or five shots for the week where I kind of blanked out, so that's pretty good over the holes we play."

This year's Masters starts on 5 April and Watson said victory would help build his confidence for Augusta.

"It comes from knowing I've got strength to hit the shots again," he said.

"Making the putts, having the physical strength, being healthy in your mind, you're going to have confidence."