13 Apr 2009

Argentine Cabrera seals victory in play-off

11:45 am on 13 April 2009

The Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera has won the US Masters, beating the Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell with a nerve-jangling play-off victory.

The 2007 US Open champion clinched his second major title and the Green Jacket with a par four at the second extra hole.

After hitting his approach to 12 feet, Cabrera calmly two-putted before raising his right arm in celebration.

Perry, who at 48 was bidding to become golf's oldest major champion, had overshot the green with his second stroke and was unable to save par after chipping back 18 feet past the hole.

Campbell, like Perry seeking his first major triumph, dropped out when he bogeyed the first extra hole, the par-four 18th, after hitting his approach into a bunker.

Perry held a one-stroke lead heading into the final hole but shot a bogey, allowing Cabrera and Campbell back in the hunt with the trio all finishing at 12-under par.

It was the third play-off 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.

World number one and four-times winner Tiger Woods had to settle for a share of sixth place at eight under after bogeying the last two holes for a 68.