Golf: Funk's big payday

American golfer Fred Funk sank a US$550,000 ($798,954) birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the Skins Game in California yesterday, finishing with US$925,000 and 15 skins after sweeping the money on the final nine holes.

Funk's US$700,000 payday left him far ahead of Tiger Woods, who won the first three skins and US$75,000.

Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, and 2004 Skins Game big winner Fred Couples,came away empty handed at the two-day, 8-hole made-for-television event in the California desert at Trilogy Golf Club.