Trevor Immelman seals maiden major at Augusta

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Trevor Immelman survived a double-bogey at the 16th hole to become the first South African to win the U.S. Masters in 30 years with a three-shot victory on Sunday.

Maintaining his composure in swirling winds at Augusta National, the dapper 28-year-old got up and down from a greenside bunker to par 17 before parring the last to seal his first major title.

Two ahead of the chasing pack overnight, Immelman followed in the footsteps of his childhood hero Gary Player to secure the prized green jacket with a three-over-par 75.

He also became the fifth wire-to-wire champion at the Masters and the first since American Raymond Floyd in 1976 with an eight-under total of 280.

World number one Tiger Woods, four-times champion at Augusta and the overwhelming favorite at the start of the week, had to settle for second place after closing with a 72.

Six strokes off the pace going into the final round, Woods struggled to make headway in his bid for a 14th major title.

He offset three birdies with three bogeys to finish at five-under 283, dashing his bid for a unique calendar grand slam of the four professional majors.

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