PARKVILLE, MO. ? His legs wobbly as he stood over his first tee shot Tuesday at the Bayer Advantage Skins Game, Bill Self asked a higher power for help.

“Oh Lord, please one time,” Self, Kansas University’s admittedly nervous basketball coach, said seconds before smashing a deep, 280-yard drive on the 450-yard, par-4, No. 10 hole at The National Golf Club of Kansas City.

The missile, scalded just to the right of the fairway, impressed playing partner Tom Watson, opponents George Brett and Jay Sigel, plus 2,000 spectators who watched Self and Watson win one hole — or one skin — and $5,000 for charity.

Brett and Sigel won three skins, good for $14,000.

Champions Tour professional Sigel, who is defending champ at the Bayer Pro-Am, netted an extra $1,000 after winning a closest-to-the-pin competition on No. 16.

Self, a “15 to 18 handicap” who had played just one round of golf the past eight weeks while recuperating from stomach surgery, concocted several clutch shots.

Two of his finest came on No. 18, the final hole of the nine-hole event.

Self’s 30-foot shot out of the sand trap hit the flag and plopped four feet from the cup, helping his team par — and tie — the hole. In a sudden-death, closest-to-the-pin putting competition, he stroked a 50-footer within 31/2 feet, closer than Brett and Sigel’s efforts, and good enough for the final $5,000 skin.

Skin already in hand, Watson approached his 50-foot putt and knocked it within one foot of the hole.

Kansas University men's basketball coach Bill Self watches his bunker shot hit the pin on No. 18. Self won ,000 for charity Tuesday during the Bayer Advantage Skins Game at The National Golf Club of Kansas City in Parkville, Mo.

“We didn’t get shut out. We got one at the end,” Self said of the final skin. “It was a lot of fun. Jay and George played great. George made everything he looked at today,” Self said of Brett, who hit three birdie putts to win skins.

The teams tied the first three holes, Brett nailing a 5-footer for birdie to win $5,000 on the fourth hole. Brett holed a 7-footer on 14 for $2,000 and a 4-footer on 17 for $7,000 more.

“George hits it like a guy who hit .330 for his career and had 3,500 hits. Gosh, he can really hit a golf ball,” Self said of the Baseball Hall of Famer.

The three other golfers were equally impressed with Self’s game. KU’s coach duffed one shot and sliced a few, but had some powerful shots, too.

“He’s got a really smooth swing,” Watson said.

KU basketball coach Bill Self, left, and former Kansas City Royal George Brett watch the action during the Bayer Advantage Skins Game. Brett and Jay Sigel won the event Tuesday at Parkville, Mo.

“Bill has a great swing,” Brett said. “He just had surgery with five hernias and staples in his stomach. This was a valiant effort. For him to come out here … he hit good shots today. People don’t understand when they put those yellow ropes out there and spectators are watching you, how tough it can be.”

Sigel also applauded Self’s ability.

“I think he has a good swing. I don’t think he’s played much because he’s had surgery. That’s unfortunate,” Sigel said. “I think he has a real good swing.”

Self won $3,000 with Watson for his charity, Big Brothers and Sisters, last year. This year he upped it to $5,000.

“At least there’s a little bit of improvement going on,” Self said. “Last year I hadn’t played at all (before the event). This year I played one time. Next year I promise you I’ll be more prepared,” Self said. “Hopefully we won’t have to sign two guys in May next year.”

Playing golf before the event might relieve some stress.

“It’s more fun than pressure,” Self said of the day, “but I’ve got to admit, after hole No. 5 and we hadn’t won anything and I hadn’t hit a fairway, there was a little pressure.”

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Accessible coach: Self signed autographs during the Skins Game and even did a quick radio interview while walking down the fairway.

At one point, he turned to a pair of reporters after slicing a shot.

Tom Watson, left, and Bill Self walk to the green during the Bayer Advantage Skins Game. Watson and Self won one skin and ,000 for their charities Tuesday at Parkville, Mo.

“Believe me, I am better than this,” he said. “I’ve been horrible today. I’m going to put them (clubs) in the garage and leave them there.”

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Self on Watson: “He’s a Hall of Famer and I’m a wanna-be,” Self deadpanned. “I’m out of my element. Playing with Sigel and Tom and George Brett … that’s a humbling experience, playing with three guys you’ve grown up watching and admiring. Tom is one of the five to 10 best players to ever play the game.”

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Purple tee: Watson ribbed Self after Self’s first drive of the day. “I think the fans ought to know he used a purple tee, not that purple is a bad color or anything,” Watson joked, alluding to the primary color of rival Kansas State.