Suffering is over for Sergio

SERGIO Garcia admitted his years of major championship heartache made his sensational Masters victory even sweeter after beating Justin Rose in a play-off.

On what would have been the 60th birthday of two-time champion Seve Ballesteros, Garcia became the third Spanish winner at Augusta National with a birdie on the first extra hole f ollowing a sensational duel with his Ryder Cup team-mate.

The pair had finished tied on nine-under-par after closing rounds of 69, with Rose overturning an early three-stroke deficit to lead by a shot after 16 holes, only to bogey the 17th and t hen fail t o convert a birdie attempt from seven feet on the last.

That left Garcia with a chance to win his first Major title at the 74th attempt but his putt from five feet slid past the hole and meant the first play-off at Augusta since Adam Scott beat Angel Cabrera in 2013.

The players returned to the 18th and Rose was unable to save par after pushing his drive into the trees. However, Garcia finished an unforgettable day in style by holing from 12 feet for birdie.

“It’s been a long wait but it’s that much sweeter because of t hat wait,” Garcia said after being presented with his green jacket by 2016 champion Danny Willett.

“It’s amazing to do it on Seve’s 60th birthday and to join him and Jose Maria Olazabal, my two idols in golf. Jose sent me a text telling me how much he believed in me and what I needed to do — believe in myself, be calm and not let things get to me.”

Sergio Garcia