Bubba Watson wins Masters

Bubba Watson won his second Masters title in three years with a decisive victory at Augusta National on Sunday.

Watson shot a 69 and won by three strokes to finish eight under par with a total of 280. Tied for second at 5 under were Sweden's Jonas Blixt who shot a 71 and American Jordan Spieth who shot an even par 72. Spieth. The 20-year-old Texan was bidding to become the youngest Masters championin history.

One stroke back and alone in fourth was 50-year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had a 71. Americans Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar were next, tied for fifth on 286.

Watson and Spieth had started the day as joint leaders on five under and it was the younger man who looked the more comfortable lead early on. But a four-stroke swing at the eighth and ninth holes in Watson's favor turned out to be crucial to the outcome.

By the time the two men emerged from Amen Corner at the 13th, Watson was three ahead and never looked back.

Germany's Bernhard Langer, who won the coveted green jacket in 1985 and 1993, nailed six birdies and an eagle into his closing three-under-par 69 on Sunday to complete a final level-par score of 288.

av/kms (AFP, Reuters)