(CNN) — Bubba Watson turned on the style to win his second U.S. Masters title in three years after a final round 69 gave him a three-shot victory in the opening major of the 2014 season.
Watson briefly trailed his last day playing partner Jordan Spieth before pulling clear on the back nine at Augusta to repeat his 2012 triumph with an eight-under-par total of 280.
The 20-year-old Spieth finished in a tie for second at five-under with Sweden’s Jonas Blixt, who was also making a superb debut at the Masters.
Popular 50-year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez claimed fourth place a further shot behind after a closing 71.
Watson did not panic when Spieth moved two clear on the front nine and a four-shot swing on the eighth and ninth saw him take a lead he never relinquished.
His victory was highlighted by a monster 366-yard drive on the 13th to set up a two-putt birdie and a three- shot advantage going into the closing holes.
The chasers were unable to make a sustained challenge to leave the 35-year-old Watson to savor another triumph in the 78th edition of the famous tournament.
After putting out on the 18th green an emotional Watson burst into tears before embracing family members.
Watson has been in fine form on the PGA Tour leading into the Masters, claiming the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles in February — his fifth career win and first since his initial triumph at Augusta.
