Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera played two exciting playoff holes to finish the Masters with extra golf two years in a row for only the second time and Scott became the first Australian to win the major. The two finished the 18th hole tied before heading back to the 10th and Cabrera almost added a birdie putt before Scott landed his to win the first major of his career after finishing second on two other occasions.
The duo finished the regulation 72 holes on nine-under-par 279, Scott sinking a 25-foot birdie putt at the last for a three-under 69 before Cabrera matched him after hitting a brilliant approach shot to just three feet on 18 for a 70.
Scott sealed the win with a 15-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole, the par-four 10th, before thrusting his arms skywards in triumph, moments after burly Argentine Cabrera had narrowly missed his attempt from 18 feet.
"I tried not to think about anything today along those lines," Scott added, referring to the lengthy Australian title drought in the year's opening major. "The thing I did well out there was to stay right where I was, stayed in that one shot."
It was the fifth playoff at Augusta National in the last 11 years, and the second in a row with American Watson having edged out South African Louis Oosthuizen 12 months ago.
Twice major champion Cabrera and Scott were both in perfect position off the tee on the first playoff hole but the Australian narrowly failed to hold the green with his approach, his ball spinning backwards before settling just off the fringe.
Cabrera followed suit, venting his frustration after squandering a possible advantage when his second shot rolled back off the front of the green to end up a couple of yards below Scott's ball.
"Obviously I would have been happier if I would have won but he is a great person, a great player. I get along with him. We've been together on Presidents Cups. I'm happy for him."
(Reuters)
