Cabrera First Argentinian to Win Masters

Angel Cabrera became the first Argentinian to win The Masters by beating Kenny Perry in a play-off at the Augusta National.

Cabrera used the same putter - a Ping i Series - that won him the 2005 BMW PGA Championship to sink a seven footer to stay alive and then ended Perry's challenge tp become the oldest Major Champion in history at the second extra hole.

The pair had tied with Perry's Ryder Cup team-mate Chad Campbell on 12 under par in the first Masters three-way tie in 22 years after a day dominated by magnificent charges and bad finishes from Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Campbell went out when he missed a par putt of under four feet on the first hole of the sudden death play-off.

"This is the Masters," Cabrera said. "It's a course that you can do a lot of birdies, a lot of bogeys. A lot of magical things happen."

Cabrera's triumph came 41 years after his compatriot Roberto de Vicenzo became one of the unluckiest losers ever in Major golf.

De Vicenzo was all set to go into a play-off with American Bob Goalby at the same Augusta National course, but signed for a par four on the 17th when he had actually taken three.

The rules stated that he had to accept the higher score and so he is forever listed as a Masters runner-up.

Cabrera, who uses a golf equipment of Ping Rapture driver, and Ping irons, also appeared to be heading for a runners-up finish but Perry brought back unwanted memories of his finish to the 1996 US PGA Championship.

On that occasion he was two ahead with one to play, but carded a closing bogey six, sat in a television studio and watched Mark Brooks birdie, then lost the play-off.

Cabrera, 39, accorded Honorary Membership of The European Tour in recognition of his US Open success in 2007, teed off with the chance to become the first Masters Champion to have four rounds in the 60s. But as it turned out a one under 71 was good enough.

Japan's Shingo Katayama finished fourth, Mickelson fifth and Woods joint sixth with fellow Americans Steve Flesch, Steve Stricker and little-known John Merrick.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell finished highest European at four under par and tied 17th after a 69.
Woods and Mickelson had earlier served up what for most of the round was one of the great head-to-head duels with own golf clubs.

They both came from seven back to be only one behind with two to play, but could not eliminate the mistakes which would have put more pressure on the leaders over the closing stretch.

Woods bogeyed the last two like Perry, but it was of no comfort to Mickelson that he beat his deadly rival by one. He made the bigger blunders at the crucial moments.

The 2004 and 2006 Champion, out in a dazzling record-equalling 30 that brought electricity to the atmosphere around the entire course, first messed up the short 12th by going in the water and taking a double bogey five.

When he two-putted the long 13th he re-ignited his chances and at the 15th he drilled a majestic iron to four feet. If the eagle putt had gone in he would have joined Perry out in front, but he missed.

Woods had also birdied the 13th and after missing a 20-foot eagle putt two holes later hit his tee shot to the 170-yard 16th to four feet and drew level with Mickelson.

They were both one behind, but Woods blocked himself out off the 17th tee, could not find the green and bogeyed.
Mickelson, meanwhile, hit his approach to six feet, but missed that as well and then, while Woods was in more tree trouble on the last, found the cavernous fairway bunker and, unlike Sandy Lyle so famously in 1988, came up short of the green and could not save par.

Cabrera was helped into his coveted Green Jacket by last year's winner Trevor Immelman bit he paid tribute to golfing great Seve Ballesteros, currently recovering from cancer in Spain, in his winner's speech.

"For me he's the greatest golfer ever," said Cabrera. "I've always had a great friendship with him. We need him to get back. We need him in the game."

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