Trevor Immelman grew up idolizing three-time Masters champion Gary Player.

On Sunday, the South African joined his hero as a green-jacket winner at Augusta National.

"(Player has) been on me all week, telling me to believe in myself," Immelman said. "He also told me to keep my head still on putts. It's really a special moment, and I'm glad I pulled it through for him."

Immelman, who had surgery on Dec. 18 to remove a benign tumor from his diaphragm, led the Masters wire-to-wire to win his first major title. Playing in his sixth Masters, Immelman's previous best finish at Augusta was a tie for fifth in 2005.

But the win didn't come easy on Sunday.

The 28-year-old started the day at 11-under par but was plus-3 in the final round to finish 8-under par for the tournament.

Holding a five-shot lead with three holes to play, Immelman found the water on the par-3 16th to trim his lead to three shots over Tiger Woods.

He also recorded bogeys on the par-4 first, the par-5 eighth and the par-3 12th, and added birdies the fifth and 13th.

His up-and-down round was enough to keep him in the lead.

Tiger Woods tried to make a charge Sunday, but ended up frustrated. The four-time Masters champion was even in his final round to finish at 5-under, which was good enough for second place. It marked the second straight year Woods finished runner-up at Augusta, as he finished behind Zach Johnson in 2007.

The world's top player scored birdies on the par-3 sixth, the par-4 11th and the par-4 18th, and bogeyed the fourth, 10th and 14th holes. Woods was within reach of several birdies throughout his round but missed key putts.

The 13-time major championship winner has never won a major title when trailing the leaders entering the final round.

Those who finished behind Woods struggled even more.

Brandt Snedeker, who started the final round just two shots behind Immelman, endured a rollercoaster ride Sunday. The American recorded an eagle on the second hole and birdies on the 12th and 15th, but his round was marred by bogeys on the first, third, sixth, seventh, ninth, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th holes. He finished the tournament at 4-under and in a tie for third with Stewart Cink.

Cink, who was paired with Woods, was even on the day to finish at 4-under.

Steve Flesch lurked around the top of the leaderboard throughout the day before he got into trouble on the back nine. He recorded a double-bogey on the 12th, then bogeyed the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes to finish 6-over on his round and 2-under for the tournament.

Two-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson was even in his round Sunday to remain at 2-under for the tournament.