• The Masters

'Emotional' Mickelson savours day to remember

Phil Mickelson hailed his third Masters win as a moment to "cherish" after coming through a difficult personal period in which his wife Amy and mother Mary were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

It's hard to imagine what was more satisfying for Mickelson, sinking one last birdie putt on the 72nd green to cap an emphatic three-stroke victory, or holding his wife in a tight embrace immediately afterwards. The Mickelsons each shed a tear as they hugged in what was the first time she had been present to meet him at a tournament's end since being diagnosed almost a year ago.

It has emerged that Mickelson wasn't even expecting to see his wife at the course - she had been watching on TV with her mother and children so as to conserve energy. But when Mickelson birdied the 13th hole, Amy made a bee-line for Augusta.

Speaking at the traditional passing of the green jacket, Mickelson gave the impression this triumph would be a symbolic one in his life's timeline, something representing much more than even the privilege of joining a select group of players with three Masters to their name.

When asked about the hug with Amy after the final hole, Mickelson said: "It's one of the best things we've gone through. In the last year it's been tough. To be on the other end and to feel this jubilation is incredible.

"I could go on and on about so many reasons why. To win this tournament is the most amazing feeling. This has been a special day. I'll look back on this day as very memorable. It's a day I'll always cherish.

"It' been an emotional year and I'm very proud of my wife with the fight and struggle she's been through. It's been a difficult year and to come out on top in this tournament is very emotional. It feels terrific and it's very emotional.

Mickelson said the birdie at the 12th gave him a platform to launch an assault on the easier back nine, which he needed to attack given the players making inroads on the course ahead of him. He came home four under after the turn, a run which included a birdie at the 13th, where he was six-under across four rounds.

"I needed to make birdies," Mickelson said. "There were a lot of fireworks ahead of us and when we got to the birdie holes we had to do something. For me the big key was 12 again. It was just like in 2004, I hit the ball in the same spot. I ended up making that putt and that gave me a little advantage heading into 13 and 15 and fortunately I was able to reach those in two and make birdies."

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