Bubba Watson is the 2012 Masters champion after defeating South African Louis Oosthuizen at the second hole of a sudden death playoff at Augusta.
Watson, 33, was reduced to tears as he claimed his first major title, less than a month after adopting a baby boy with wife Angie and 18 months after the passing of his father Gerry following a lengthy battle with throat cancer.
The big-hitting American had earlier drawn level with Oosthuizen courtesy of a birdie at the 16th, before both players made par at the 17th and 18th holes to finish 10-under 278, two shots ahead of Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, third-round leader Peter Hanson and Lee Westwood.
After missing a putt on the 18th that would have won him the green jacket on the first playoff hole, Watson produced a remarkable shot from the pine needles on the 10th that set him up for a two-putt par.
"I never got this far in my dreams," Watson said at the presentation of the green jacket. "It's a blessing."
Oosthuizen led for most of the dramatic final day at Augusta National and struck one of the greatest shots in Masters history with a double eagle on the second hole.
The albatross was only the fourth in Masters history and the first since Jeff Maggert achieved the feat at the 13th in 1994.
Mickelson, who began the day eight-under in search of his fourth Masters crown, had a horror triple-bogey six on the fourth hole, before birdies on eight, 13 and 15 brought him back to the same mark.
Former world number one Tiger Woods and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy finished the tournament tied for 40th on five over par.
Australian Adam Scott was also one of the big movers in the final round, posting a six-under 66 that included four consecutive birdies on the front nine to tie finish in a tie for eighth with Justin Rose and Padraig Harrington.
A final-round 71 saw Geoff Ogilvy finish in a tie for 18th at even par for the tournament as Aaron Baddeley's struggles over the last two days continued as he followed up Saturday's 77 with a two-over 74 to finish at five over the card overall.