Angel Cabrera wins Masters thriller

It took 74 holes but in the end Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera was the man wearing the iconic Green Jacket at Augusta.

Cabrera won his second major golf tournament with a thrilling Masters victory on Sunday. The Argentine became the first Latin American to win the fabled major after beating beat Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a play-off.

The 2007 U.S. Open champ was co-leader with Perry after three rounds yet had an inconsistent Sunday. Perry bogeyed the final two regulation holes, however, and Cabrera hung on to force the playoff. Despite nearly being eliminated in the first extra hole, Cabrera played the second impeccably and became the lowest-ranked Masters champion since the world rankings began in 1986.

Cabrera received plenty of inspiration from fellow Argentine Roberto DeVicenzo who was achingly close to Masters glory in 1968:

"This moment, and also Oakmont in 2007, are the happiest moments of my life," he said before being helped into his Green Jacket by 2008 champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa.

"When I won the U.S. Open (compatriot) Roberto De Vicenzo gave me a nice picture and there was a green jacket in it, making me go for it," added Cabrera through an interpreter…

De Vicenzo came close to Masters glory in 1968 only to submit an incorrect scorecard, giving American Bob Goalby a one-shot victory instead of sending the year's first major to a playoff.

Image- AP (“Defending Masters' champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa helps 2009 Masters golf champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina with his Masters' green jacket at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 12, 2009.”)
Online Sources- Guardian UK, UPI, The Latin Americanist, Reuters, BBC Sport, Times Online