Augusta, April 14:

Trevor Immelman became the first South African to win the Masters since Gary Player in 1978 on Sunday, shooting a final-round 3-over 75 to claim the title by three strokes.

Four months after he had a tumor removed from his back, Immelman handled the wind and pressure of Augusta National far better than anyone chasing him to earn his green jacket. Immelman played Amen Corner in even par and stretched his lead to as many as six shots on the back nine.

A two-putt par on the final hole finished his 75, matching the highest final round by a Masters champion. Even so, it was good enough for a three-shot victory over Tiger Woods, whose hopes for a calendar Grand Slam ended with a thud. Woods twice missed birdie putts inside eight feet and had to settle for a 72 and his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Masters.

Immelman realised his potential at tge Augusta and a final round that yielded only four rounds under par.

Immelman, who finished at 8-under 280, started the week by playing a practice round with Player, his boyhood idol who won his third Masters in 1978.

Player told Immelman he was good enough to win the green jacket, and he left him a voicemail Saturday night that Immelman played on his speaker phone for his family to hear.