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AUGUSTA, Georgia - American Zach Johnson held off a late challenge by Tiger Woods to claim his first major title by two shots at the Masters today.
Two off the pace overnight, the 31-year-old Johnson fired a three-under-par 69 at a sun-drenched Augusta National to finish on one-over
289.
Johnson, whose only previous PGA Tour victory came at the 2004 BellSouth Classic, reeled off three birdies in four holes from the 13th to take control.
Although he bogeyed 17 after missing a five-foot putt, he displayed strong nerves to get up and down from beside the green at the last and save par.
"I had some people looking after me today," a tearful Johnson told reporters after equaling the highest winning Masters total set by Sam Snead (1954) and Jack Burke junior (1956).
"This being Easter, Jesus was with me every step. I felt him. It was awesome."
World number one Woods, hunting his third consecutive major and a fifth green jacket at Augusta, had to settle for a share of second place with South Africans Retief Goosen (69) and Rory Sabbatini (69) after closing with a 72.
Britain's Justin Rose, who double-bogeyed the 17th, posted a 73 to tie for fifth with American Jerry Kelly (70) at four over.
Wildly fluctuating
One of six players tied for the lead early on in a wildly fluctuating final round, Johnson set the tone by chipping in for birdie on the eighth before tightening his grip after the turn.
Out in one-under 35, the US Ryder Cup player rolled in a curling 10-footer at the par-four 14th to stretch his lead to two.
After parring the 15th, he hit his tee shot to 10 feet at the par-three 16th before ramming home the putt to go three shots clear, pumping his fist in celebration.
Despite his stumble at the par-four 17th, Johnson held on to secure the biggest victory of his career and a cheque for $1.26 million.
Woods had spectacularly eagled the par-five 13th to stay in the hunt for a 13th major title as the 71st Masters headed for a tight finish.
Having struggled for his best form for much of the day, he hit a superb long-iron into the green which span back down the slope to within three feet of the hole.
Woods tapped in the putt to get to three over par, two behind Johnson.
However, he failed to build on that momentum and found water at the par-five 15th en route to a regulation par.
He missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the 16th before parring the last two holes.
- REUTERS
