Bubba Watson wins second Masters title

Bubba Watson has won the Masters for the second time in his career as a round of 69 on the final day saw him see off the challenge of young American Jordan Spieth and Swedish star Jonas Blixt to finish on eight under par.

Two years ago Watson triumphed in Augusta as he beat Louis Oosthuizen in a play-off, but no such method was needed to decide the winner this year as the big-hitting 35-year-old eased to a three shot victory.

Ahead of the fourth round, there was much talk about Spieth, 20, who started the day level with Watson on the leaderboard. The Texan golfer could have become not only the youngest Masters winner of all-time but the youngest major winner since 1931.

And the duo kept pace with each other to start with, but a poor first putt on the eighth hole shifted the momentum into Watson’s favour and another disastrous miss from the youngster put his experienced rival two shots clear going into the back nine.

But, immediately after taking the lead, Watson dropped a shot on the tenth, which gave Spieth another glimmer of hope in Georgia.

The starlet, who appeared to become overwhelmed by the occasion, then fell foul of the rolling slopes at the Augusta National as his approach shot on the 12th slipped slowly into the water, while Watson sunk his ball for par to open up the lead to two shots once more.

Spieth’s slip allowed Blixt to join the fight for the green jacket as he birdied the 15th but Watson, in inspired form, moved into a three shot lead by holing a birdie on the 13th.

And from there the man from Bagdad, Florida, coasted to a memorable second triumph at the Augusta National, with Blixt and Spieth finishing joint second on five under.

Elsewhere, Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez ended a shot further back in fourth, while American stars Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler completed the top six as they finished the tournament tied on two under.

English golfer Lee Westwood claimed seventh spot by shooting one under par across the four days.