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Newborn son to Masters champion: Danny Willett on 12 days that changed his life

Danny Willett hailed a "ridiculously awesome" 12 days in his life after claiming his first major title with a dramatic victory in the 80th Masters.

Willett's wife Nicole had been due to give birth to the couple's first child on Sunday, but Zachariah James Willett arrived on March 29 to allow his father to play in the year's first major.

The uncertainty meant the 28-year-old was the 89th and last player to register after only arriving at Augusta National on Monday, but took advantage of a dramatic collapse from defending champion Jordan Spieth, who then had to present Willett with the famous green jacket.

"It's just crazy, just surreal," Willett said after a flawless closing 67 gave him a three-shot victory over Spieth and playing partner Lee Westwood. "Words can't really describe the feelings and emotions. I've won a couple of golf tournaments around the world, but this is just a different league. It's a major. It's the Masters.

"I'm not quite sure which is better, this day or [the birth of my son] last Tuesday. I always said that I wouldn't come here if he wasn't born by now, which stuck. Fortunately enough, he listened to my prayers and he came early.

"It's just been the most ridiculously awesome 12 days I guess. Words can't describe what I'm feeling right now, but words definitely can't describe how I was feeling last Tuesday when you get to hold something that me and my wife have made. It's just been incredibly surreal."