The 45-year-old golfer – who turned professional in 1999 - finally claimed victory in his 74th major tournament with victory on the first sudden-death playoff hole against Justin Rose and he’ll always be proud of his accomplishment.

He told bunkered magazine: “I replay it in my mind.

“I’m very proud of it.

“Happiness was part of it. It was a combination of being very proud and just very happy.

“A lot of memories went through my mind from when I was younger.

“I wouldn’t say relief. I said it after I won it, and I even said it before I won it, I felt like my career was already good enough to be proud of it. That makes it even more special and even better, but more than belief, it was just being very proud of being able to achieve that.”

Next month’s Masters will mark Sergio’s 100th major championship and he’s “very proud” to hit the milestone.

He said: “I’m very proud of it. I’m so looking forward to it. I would have loved it to be at the Open Championship last year because it’s my favourite major.

“I love it, but unfortunately we couldn’t make it happen.

“But for the Masters to be my 100th major is very special too.

“The tradition, how unique it is. It makes it so special.”