Masters 2014: Bubba Watson Wins Second Green Jacket in Three Years

Bubba Watson has won his second Masters in three years after a three shot victory at Augusta.

The 35-year-old finished the tournament eight under par after carding three under 69 in his final round having seen off the challenge of 20-year-old Jordan Spieth who was tied second with Sweden's Jonas Blixt, both who were making their first appearances in the competition.

Spieth, who partnered 35-year-old Watson, had led by two strokes earlier in in the final round as he sank four birdies in his first seven holes to lead the chasing pack in an ambitious bid to become the youngest major champion since 1931.

But the 2012 champion made two straight birdies in the back nine as Spieth suffered back to back bogeys to alter the landscape of the final day. Left hander Watson proceeded to dominate for the rest of the round to become just the 17<sup>th man to win two Green Jackets.

"I told my caddie up the 18th that I couldn't remember the last few holes, I was just hanging on and thinking about making pars," said Watson, Sky Sports report.

"Somehow I did and walking off 18 was a little bit easier this time. I kind of lucked into the last one, this one is a lot different, it was a lot of dedication to get back here."

After recovering from two poor tee shots on the opening two holes Spieth made par on the first before sinking a birdie on the par five second. The youngster, who turned professional in December 2012, impressively holed from the bunker at the short fourth before adding another birdie on the seventh to put him two shots clear.

However Spieth was unable to maintain that scintillating form as three bogeys on the eighth followed by another on the ninth allowed Watson creep back into contention and the Texan subdued his challenge further after finding the water in front of the green on a difficult 12<sup>th.

An exquisite drive from Watson in the 13<sup>th saw him begin to put some distance between himself and the young challenger and was able to maintain his three shot lead throughout the final holes that didn't require the late drama of his success two years ago.

Elsewhere, Miguel Angel Jiménez finished fourth after a flurry of birdies on the 12<sup>th, 14<sup>th 16<sup>th. His partner Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Lee Westwood (all on 73) also finished under par.