AUGUSTA, United States (AFP) - Bubba Watson won his second Masters title in three years on Sunday with a commanding display at Augusta National.
The 35-year-old American got the better of countryman Jordan Spieth, 15 years his junior and aiming to become the youngest winner of the Masters in what was the 78th edition of the tournament.
Watson won by three strokes after a 69 gave him an eight under par total of 280, with Spieth and Swede Jonas Blixt tied for second.
A further stroke back and alone in fourth was 50-year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who had a 71, with Americans Rickie Fowler (73) and Matt Kuchar (74) tied for fifth on 286.
It was Watson's second major title and just his second tournament victory since first pulling on the green jacket in 2012.
Watson and Spieth had started the day as joint leaders on five under and it was the younger man who looked the more comfortable early on.
But a four-stroke swing at the eighth and ninth holes in Watson's favour turned out to be crucial to the outcome.
By the time the two men emerged from Amen Corner at the 13th, Watson was three ahead and never looked like giving that up from there on in.