IMMELMAN HOLDS NERVE IN MASTERS
Tiger Woods will not achieve the grand slam of majors this year after Trevor Immelman clinched the Masters in Augusta.
The South African beat Woods by three shots in Augusta to claim his first ever major, just four months after having a benign tumour removed from his diaphragm.
Immelman shot 75 on the fourth round to end on eight under par as the favourite Woods failed to make up the gap from fifth on the board, finishing in second place ahead of Stuart Clink.
There were nervous times for the 28-year-old, as he double-bogeyed on the 16th after hitting the water but he held on to par on the final two holes to keep in front of Woods and become the first South African to win the Masters since Gary Player won his third and final Green Jacket in 1978.
"This has been the ultimate rollercoaster ride, and I
hate rollercoasters," Immelman said.
"Here I am, after missing the cut last week, Masters champion. It is the craziest thing I have ever heard."
Immelman also played tribute to Masters veteran Gary Player, who spurred his compatriot on to victory.
"He [Player] left me a voicemail last night and I got it when I was leaving the premises. It gave me goosebumps," added Immelman.
"He told me that he believed in me and I need to believe in myself.
"He told me to just go out there and be strong through adversity, because he said that adversity would come today, and I just had to deal with it.
"You know, I took that all to heart, and I am obviously thankful for the message and I am sure he is proud of me.
"Obviously this is a tremendous confidence boost," Immelman added.
"Now that I know I have got one under my belt, all I can do is go out there and prepare well for the majors from now on and just try my best."
Padraig Harrington finished as the best European with -2 along with Phil Mickelson and Steve Felsch whilst the best Brits were Lee Westwood and Paul Casey, who finished on par.
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