South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel profited from Rory McIlroy’s nightmare last round to win the 75th Masters.
Twenty-one-year-old McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, led by four shots going into the final round at Augusta but carded 80 to finish four under par.
Schwartzel, by contrast, saved his best until last in firing 66 – including birdies at the last four holes – to end on 14 under. His nearest challengers were Australian duo Jason Day and Adam Scott two shots back.
Manchester United remained on course for the Premier League title with a 2-0 victory at home to Fulham, although nearest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea also won. The Gunners were 3-1 victors at Blackpool and the Blues saw off bottom side Wigan 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Wigan’s defeat was cushioned by the other sides in the bottom three losing. West Ham were beaten 3-0 at Bolton and Wolves lost by the same score at home to Everton.
Elsewhere, Tottenham kept their top four hopes alive with a 3-2 win at home to Stoke, Aston Villa eased their relegation fears by beating Newcastle 1-0 at Villa Park and West Brom did likewise with a 3-2 victory at Sunderland. Blackburn and Birmingham drew 1-1 at Ewood Park.
Northampton are the only English side left in Rugby Union’s European Cup after Leicester were knocked out in this weekend’s quarter-finals. The Tigers lost 17-10 to Leinster in Dublin but the Saints, who will play Perpignan in the semi-finals, beat Ulster 23-13 at Milton Keynes. Leinster face Toulouse in the other semi.
Leeds enhanced their Premiership survival hopes with a dramatic 30-29 win at Newcastle, who replace them at the bottom of the table although the Falcons have a game in hand. Leeds’ victory was secured by fly-half Adrian Jarvis’ last-minute drop-goal. Sale look safe after a 36-31 win at home to Gloucester. Elsewhere, Bath beat Exeter 26-18.
Castleford went top of Rugby League’s Super League with 52-20 win at home to Salford. They lead on points difference from Huddersfield, who beat Warrington 29-10. Third-placed St Helens won 34-18 at Crusaders.
Elsewhere, Catalan Dragons shocked champions Wigan 47-28 and there were wins for Hull FC over Bradford, Hull KR over Leeds and Wakefield over Harlequins.
The County Championship Cricket season began with Division One Yorkshire the first team to secure a win – by nine wickets at newly-promoted Worcestershire.
Defending champion Sebastian Vettel extended his Formula One championship lead to 24 points with victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix. Jenson Button was second and Nick Heidfeld third.
Finally, 14-1 shot Ballabriggs – trained by Donald McCain and ridden by Jason Maguire – won the Grand National at Aintree.
