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Watson credits win to miracle recovery shot

Bubba Watson held his nerve throughout the final round © Getty Images

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Bubba Watson attributed his emotional victory at The Masters to a stunning hook shot out of the trees and onto the 10th green as he edged Louis Oosthuizen in a memorable playoff at Augusta.

The American, who claimed his first major title with the win, appeared to have handed Oosthuizen the advantage on the second extra hole when he sprayed a shot so deep it landed behind the gasping gallery. Watson, though, used his experience from a similar position earlier in the day to launch a tournament-winning hook that would leave his South African opponent stunned.

"I was there earlier today, during regulation," Watson said. "So I was used to it. I knew what I was facing there. I had a good lie, had a gap where I had to hook it 40 yards or something. I'm pretty good at hooking it."

Watson sobbed uncontrollably, hugging family and friends tightly, after clinching victory on the 10th green, and later revealed he remembered little of his playoff heroics.

"I just kept my head down knowing there were birdies on the back nine," said Watson. "I just kept going, kept dragging it out and somehow it went into a playoff. I don't know what happened then, except I was crying a bit later."

Oosthuizen, who himself made a brilliant shot during regulation play with an albatross on the second hole, gave full credit to Watson after the playoff and paid tribute to the left-hander's now-famed recovery shot.

"He hit an unbelievable shot there," Oosthuizen said. "I played well. This is not one I felt like I played badly. Great stuff to him. He deserves it.

"I had no idea where he was. Where I stood from, when ball came out, it looked like a curve ball. Unbelievable shot. I left myself in a really awkward spot with that chip. Just didn't get the check on it that I thought I would. That shot he hit definitely won him the tournament."

World Rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 3. Lee Westwood (ENG), 4. Bubba Watson (USA), 5. Hunter Mahan (USA), 6. Steve Stricker (USA), 7. Martin Kaymer (GER), 8. Tiger Woods (USA), 9. Phil Mickelson (USA), 10. Justin Rose (ENG), 11. Adam Scott (AUS), 12. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 13. Webb Simpson (USA), 14. Matt Kuchar (USA), 15. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 16. Jason Day (AUS), 17. Dustin Johnson (USA), 18. Bill Haas (USA), 19. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), 20. Keegan Bradley (USA)

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