Bubba Watson became the third left handed to win the Masters in defeating South African Louis Oosthuizen with a par at the second extra playoff at Augusta National.
Watson then broke down in tears moments after as the enormity of his win began to sink in.
Watson played a remarkable miracle shot off pine needles down the second extra hole, the downhill par four 10th, to find the green.
Bubba Watson fighting hard to control his emotions after winning the Masters.
Oosthuizen looked also in trouble down the right side but with his ball ricocheting off a Georgia pine and remain on the fairway,
But the South African then left his third shot short of the green and his chip was then long for a subequent bogey leaving Watson two putts for a par and the Masters green jacket.
Moments earlier both Watson and Oosthuizen had pared the first extra hole and with both players just missing their birdie putts.
Bubba Watson – with his Masters victory.
Final scoreboard - Bubba Watson wins the 2012 Masters.
His first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 25th European Tour event.
Will move to fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking from 16th.
It is his first Major Championship victory in his 17th Major Championship appearance.
His previous best Major performance of second in the 2010 US PGA Championship.
Victory comes in his fourth appearance in the Masters Tournament and would beat his previous best finish of tied 20th in 2008.
He becomes the second consecutive American first-time Major Championship winner, following Keegan Bradley at the 2011 US PGA Championship. ·
Watson becomes the eighth consecutive first-time Major Championship winner.
They are: Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship), Martin Kaymer (2010 US PGA Championship), Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters Tournament), Rory McIlroy (2011 US Open Championship, Darren Clarke (2011 Open Championship), Keegan Bradley (2011 US PGA Championship) and Bubba Watson (2012 Masters Tournament).
Victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2010 US PGA Championship and 2012 WGC –Cadillac Championship.
Watsom becomes the fifth first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour International Schedule. They would be: Branden Grace (Joburg Open), Jbe’ Kruger (Avantha Masters), Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Thorbjørn Olesen (Sicilian Open) and Bubba Watson (Masters Tournament).
His three shot final round winning comeback would equal the largest on the 2012 European Tour. He would match Justin Rose (WGC – Cadillac Championship) and Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucia Costa del Sol).
OTHER FACTS
He is third left-hander to win the Masters Tournament, following Mike Weir (2003) and Phil Mickelson (2004, 2006 and 2010).
Watson is the fourth left-hander to win a Major Championship, following Bob Charles, Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir.
Becomes the sixth left-hander to win in European Tour history.
He follows: Bob Charles, Peter Dawson, Richard Green, Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir.
Would be the second American to win on The European Tour in 2012, following Hunter Mahan (WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship).
Would gain a lifetime exemption into the Masters Tournament. Would gain a five year exemption in the US Open Championship, Open Championship and US PGA Championship.
Would gain a place in the 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions, 2012 PGA Grand Slam of Golf and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.
