Immelman's dream comes true

Trevor Immelman has described his US Masters win in Augusta as not just a dream come true, but "the craziest thing I've ever heard of".

The South African beat Tiger Woods by three shots on Sunday night a week after a missed cut in Houston had only one person mentioning him as a possible winner.

That person was 72-year-old Gary Player, until now the only South African winner of a green jacket.

In the week that he set a Masters record with his 51st appearance Player sent his young compatriot a message saying: "I believe in you and you need to believe in yourself."

Immelman said of Player: "I took that all to heart, I'm obviously thankful and I'm sure he's proud of me. I first met him when I was five years old. He picked me up and put me on his shoulders. I think he realised that even at a young age I had so much passion for the game.

"He's been like another type of father for me and to have somebody with that much experience on your side giving you advice is just incredible."

Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Tim Clark and Rory Sabbatini have all had runners-up finishes in the last four years, but Immelman led from start to finish to bring down Woods' Grand Slam bid at the very first hurdle.

A year after Zach Johnson tied the highest total in Masters history in capturing his first major title the 28-year-old from Cape Town broke his duck with the highest closing round ever by a champion.

In 25mph winds a three over par 75 proved good enough with something to spare as Brandt Snedeker, Steve Flesch and England's Paul Casey - the three closest challengers with a round to go - shot 77, 78 and 79 respectively.

"Obviously it hasn't quite sunk in yet. This has probably been the ultimate rollercoaster ride - and I hate rollercoasters."

His best stroke play finish since his return to the sport at the end of January was 40th, but it all came together when it mattered most.

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