Sergio Garcia Wins First Major in Playoff at Masters

Sergio Garcia captured the first major championship of his career with a birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff with Justin Rose.

Much was made of the connection to Ballesteros throughout the week, but Garcia highlighted the influence of another Spanish two-time Masters champion, Jose Maria Olazabal.

The runner-up said a few words, patted the new Masters champion on the chest and walked away, leaving Garcia to bask in a moment he'd been chasing for almost two decades.

Rose then fired his tee shot on 13 into the trees.

Locked as leaders almost five hours earlier Garcia and England's Justin Rose each rose and fell on a stunning Georgian Sunday before the Spaniard finally took his turn to stand out, securing a maiden major almost two decades in the making.

Spieth had it all to do after bogeying three and birdieing just one of his opening six holes.

Both players drilled their shots to within 10 feet on the final hole, but Rose missed his, leaving Garcia with a putt for the title.

On the playoff hole, Garcia's approach shot set him up for a handsome long birdie putt that sealed the win. "I felt the calmest I've ever felt on a major Sunday today".

This year's Masters is his 74th major championship and he is still yet to win one.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Matt Kuchar sent the patrons into a frenzy with his hole-in-one at the 170-yard 16th hole, which briefly gave him hope of challenging the leaders. Garcia quickly pulled ahead by three shots, thanks to his pair of birdies and a bogey by Rose, but his playing partner erased that deficit before the turn with three straight birdies.

Along with the happy reflections of the people around him - including Angela Akins, the former Golf Channel reporter he plans to marry in July - that final burst of emotion was thinking about "moments that unfortunately didn't go the way I wanted".

Both players missed short birdie tries on the final regulation hole, Garcia's from inside 1.5m appearing, momentarily at least, like it could extend his major misery.

The last hole of normal play in round four was typical Sergio - so near, yet so far, the title right there waiting for him, but just far enough that he can't grab it.

He deserves it. He's had his fair share of heartbreak.

Garcia and Rose began overtime after finishing four rounds of golf at 9 under.

Asked whether or not he felt like he let it slip away on the back nine, he said: "Yeah, I would say this one probably is one that slipped by, for sure". Everyone thinks you should birdie them.

Eighth-ranked American Rickie Fowler was one stroke back in third after a 71.

"I knew what I was capable of doing, and I believed that I could do it", he said.

"I felt pretty much in control of my game and the tournament for the most part all day", Rose told reporters. "Even though it was a par, I got more confident and made two great holes".