AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters):

American Zach Johnson held off a late challenge by four-time champion Tiger Woods to claim his first major title by two shots at the Masters yesterday.

Two off the pace overnight, the 31-year-old Johnson fired a three-under-par 69 at a sun-drenched, fast-running Augusta National to finish on one-over 289.

Johnson, whose only previous PGA Tour victory came at the 2004 BellSouth Classic, reeled off three birdies in four holes from the 13th to take control.

Although he bogeyed 17 after missing a five-foot putt, he displayed strong nerves to get up and down from beside the green at the last and save par.

"This being Easter, Jesus was with me every step. I felt him. It was awesome," a tearful Johnson told reporters yesterday.