South African Trevor Immelman won the 72nd Masters to capture the first major title of his career and deny Tiger Woods a chance at a 2008 Grand Slam.India's Jeev Milkha Singh fought back from a disastrous start for his best Major finish at a creditable tied 25th.Immelman, 28, on Sunday became just the second South African to win the coveted Green Jacket, after three-time champion and boyhood hero Gary Player.Showing poise as the pressure built on the wind-whipped Augusta National course, Immelman became the first wire-to-wire winner since Raymond Floyd in 1976.His three-over 75 gave him an eight-under total of 280 and a three-shot victory over world No.1 Woods, the overwhelming pre-tournament favorite who carded an even-par 72 for 283."I still can't believe I'm sitting in this position," Immelman said. "I had to go out there and just be tough. I'm proud of myself for doing that."Brandt Snedeker, who started the day two shots behind Immelman and briefly seized a share of the lead with an eagle at the second hole, emerged from his rollercoaster of a round with a 77 for 284, tied for third with fellow American Stewart Cink who shot 72.Immelman survived a hiccup at the par-three 16th, where he found the water and took a double-bogey that sliced his lead from five strokes to three."The wind was really swirling," Immelman said. "I had to back off my shot. To be fair, I made a poor swing and I pulled it. I was praying that I got enough of it to make it to the trap, but I wasn't lucky enough there."Even so, Woods was already conceding defeat in the clubhouse when Immelman fired his second shot at 17 into a greenside bunker.Late fightback earns Jeev best Major finishA resolute Jeev Milkha Singh fought back from a disastrous start for his best Major finish at a creditable tied 25th in the Masters but his failure to sign off among the top-16 has denied him a return ticket to the prestigious event.Jeev was six-over after the first 10 holes at Augusta National Golf Club before showing steely resolve to hit four birdies over a five-hole stretch to salvage his round on a day when only four players broke par.The Asian Tour number one in 2006, completed the year's thereby bettered his previous best finish at a Major, tied 36th in the US Open last year.However, the Chandigarh pro was disappointed with his effort and said he could have finished higher up the leaderboard but messed up his chances by trying too hard."I am really disappointed. I came back pretty strongly at the back nine and left a few out there. I tried but I made too many mistakes on the front nine.""My management wasn't up to the mark. I was pushing myself too much and getting result orientated and I paid the price," said Jeev, who finished tied 37th in his Masters debut last year."I was trying shots which I shouldn't have. On the first and ninth holes. I should have just made sure I got the ball up on the green and I didn't," he added. Jeev said he would learn from the experience to do better if he gets a chance next year.
