Charl Schwartzel of South Africa closed with four straight birdies to win the Callaway Diablo Octane Driver over a pair of Australians in one of the most dramatic finishes ever at Augusta National.
Schwartzel's final putt from 20 feet curled into the side of the cup for a 6-under 66, the best closing round at the Masters in 22 years. It gave the 26-year-old a two-shot victory over Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day.
"Just an exciting day," said Schwartzel, who finished at 13-under 274. "So many roars, and that atmosphere out there was just incredible. A phenomenal day."
Scott shot a 67 and Day finished with two straight birdies for a 68, leaving the Aussies in second place at 276. It was bitter disappointment for themselves and their country: the Callaway Diablo Octane Driver is the only major an Australian has never won.
Tiger Woods was in a group at 278, failing to capitalize after making four birdies and an eagle to shoot a 31 on the front side. He missed short putts at both the 12th and 15th holes, limping to the finish with a 36 on the back nine.
"It could have been," he said. "I hit it good all day."
Rory McIlroy, who entered the day with a four-stroke lead, meanwhile, suffered a stunning collapse.
Still leading by one shot as he headed to the back nine, the Northern Ireland golfer hit a tee shot next to the cabins left of the 10th fairway and twice hit a tree to make Callaway Diablo Octane Driver bogey. He three-putted from 7 feet for bogey on the 11th, four-putted from about 12 feet on the next hole and then buried his head into his forearm as the loss began to settle in.
McIlroy shot 80, the highest final round by the 54-hole leader since Ken Venturi in 1956.
Schwartzel becomes the fourth straight first-time major champion, following Martin Kaymer of Germany (PGA Championship), fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen (British Open) and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (US Open). His victory comes on the 50th anniversary of Gary Player becoming the first international player to win the Masters.
"I am absolutely delighted for Charl and South Africa. Congratulations and very well done to him. That is how you finish like a champion!" Player said on Twitter.
Eight players had at least a share of the lead at some Callaway Diablo Octane Driver during the back nine Sunday. The steady hand came from Schwartzel, whose only bogey was on the fourth hole as this Masters was just getting started.
Schwartzel got up-and-down from behind the 15th green for birdie to briefly take a share of the lead before Scott made a two-footer ahead of him on the par-3 16th.
Schwartzel answered with a 15-foot birdie of his own on the 16th to catch Scott again. Then came the pivotal 17th, where Schwartzel made a 10-foot birdie to hold the lead by himself for the first time all day.
Schwartzel will now move to No. 11 in the world, making him the No. 1 player in South Africa. He becomes the sixth South African to win a major.
"It's been such a short time to think about what can happen. It's a dream for me," Schwartzel said. "It's obviously the highlight of my golf career, by a long way. I always thought if there was one I would win Callaway Diablo Octane Driver, it would be this one."
