Augusta (Georgia, USA): Argentina's Angel Cabrera won his second major after a nerve-jangling playoff victory at the US Masters on Sunday, becoming the first South American to claim the prized Green Jacket.
The 2007 US Open champion edged out Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell at Augusta National as he clinched his second PGA Tour success with a par four at the second extra hole.
After hitting his approach to 12 feet at the 10th, the 39-year-old Cabrera calmly two-putted before raising his right arm in celebration.
"This moment, and also Oakmont in 2007, are the happiest moments of my life," he said before being helped into his Green Jacket by 2008 champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa.
"When I won the US Open (compatriot) Roberto De Vicenzo gave me a nice picture and there was a green jacket in it, making me go for it," added Cabrera through an interpreter.
Perry, 48, bidding to become golf's oldest major champion, overshot the green with his second stroke at the 10th and was unable to save par after chipping back 18 feet past the cup.
Campbell, like Perry seeking his first major triumph, dropped out when he bogeyed the first extra hole after hitting his approach into a bunker at the par-four 18th.
It was the third playoff at Augusta in the last seven years, and the first involving three men since American Larry Mize edged out Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman in 1987.
Cabrera (71), Perry (71) and Campbell (69) had finished the regulation 72 holes tied on 12-under 276.
De Vicenzo came close to Masters glory in 1968 only to submit an incorrect scorecard, giving American Bob Goalby a one-shot victory instead of sending the year's first major to a playoff.
However, De Vicenzo had already become the first South American to win a major in the 1967 British Open at Hoylake.
Katayama fourth
Japan's Shingo Katayama (68) birdied two of the last three holes to finish fourth on 10 under on Sunday, a stroke ahead of twice former champion Phil Mickelson who covered the front nine in a record-equalling six-under-par 30 en route to a 67.
World No.1 and four-time winner Tiger Woods had to settle for a share of sixth place at eight under after bogeying the last two holes for a 68.
One of the longest hitters in the game, Cabrera held a share of the third-round lead with Perry and briefly edged a stroke in front by sinking a six-foot birdie putt at the par-four third.
His progress then stalled with bogeys at the fourth, fifth and 10th.
Much of the interest on a glorious spring afternoon was focused on the high-profile pairing of Mickelson and Woods as they treated the fans to a dazzling display of shot-making in low-scoring conditions.
The heavyweight duo began the day seven strokes off the pace and Mickelson set the tone with a sizzling burst of six birdies in seven holes from the second.
His front nine matched the Masters record set by Johnny Miller in the third round in 1975 and equalled by Greg Norman (final round, 1988) and KJ Choi (second round, 2004).
The drama heightened when Mickelson double-bogeyed the par-three 12th after finding water off the tee.
He immediately recovered with another birdie at the 13th, narrowly missed a 15-footer on 14 and surprisingly two-putted from four feet to birdie 15 and get to 10 under.
Woods, who had covered the front nine in 33, birdied 13, 15 and 16 where his tee shot ended five feet from the pin, to stay on track for a 15th major title.
However, the two Americans signed off with matching bogeys on 18, Mickelson after driving into a fairway bunker and Woods after missing the fairway to the right and hitting a tree with his second shot.
"When Tiger and Phil were making a move I had to make a move as well," said Cabrera who clawed his way back into contention with birdies on 13, 15 and 16.
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