Johnson triumphs at Augusta

American Zach Johnson secured his maiden major victory after holding off a late Tiger Woods charge at the US Masters.

Two strokes off the pace overnight, the 31-year-old Johnson fired a three-under-par 69 in bright sunshine at Augusta National.

Tiger Woods, hunting his third consecutive major title and a fifth green jacket, finished on three-over following a level-par 72.

Level with Woods were South Africans Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini, who posted matching 69s.

Padraig Harrington finished four back on five-over in a tie for seventh place, with overnight leader Sutart Appleby, after he carded a final round of 73.

Johnson, whose only previous PGA Tour victory came at the 2004 BellSouth Classic, reeled off three birdies in four holes from the 13th to take control.

Although he bogeyed 17 after missing a five-foot putt, he displayed strong nerves to get up and down from beside the green at the last and save par.

'I had some people looking after me today,' a tearful Johnson told reporters after equalling the highest winning Masters total set by Sam Snead (1954) and Jack Burke junior (1956).

'This being Easter, Jesus was with me every step. I felt him. It was awesome.'

Britain's Justin Rose, who double-bogeyed the 17th, posted a 73 to tie for fifth with American Jerry Kelly (70) at four-over-par.

One of six players tied for the lead early on in a wildly fluctuating final round, Johnson set the tone by chipping in for birdie on the eighth before tightening his grip after the turn.

Out in one-under 35, the 2006 US Ryder Cup player rolled in a curling 10-footer at the par-four 14th to stretch his lead to two.

After parring the 15th, he hit his tee shot to 10 feet at the par-three 16th before ramming home the putt to go three shots clear, pumping his fist in celebration.

Despite his stumble at the par-four 17th, Johnson held on to secure the biggest victory of his career and a cheque for $1.26m.

Woods had spectacularly eagled the par-five 13th to stay in the hunt for a 13th major title as the 71st Masters headed for a tight finish.

Having struggled for his best form for much of the day, he hit a superb long-iron into the green, which span back down the slope to within three feet of the hole.

Woods tapped in the putt to get to three over par, two behind Johnson.

However, he failed to build on that momentum and found water at the par-five 15th en route to a regulation par.

He missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the 16th before parring the last two holes.