ONLY a week ago people were wondering what had gone wrong with Angel Cabrera.

Ranked the game’s ninth best player three and a half years ago and US Open champion in 2007 – after out-gunning Tiger Woods no less – he had slumped all the way to 69th in the world and had gone more than 12 months without even a top-five finish.

They need worry no more – Cabrera is Masters champion, he is back in the world’s top 20 and this time he thinks he will be able to handle being a major winner better than he did the first time.

‘‘I think I’m more prepared,’’ said the 39- year-old after beating Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a play-off.

‘‘I think the US Open win got me by surprise.

I am more aware.’’ Cabrera’s victory, with a par at the second hole of sudden death, stopped 48-year-old Perry becoming the oldest ever.

But the Ryder Cup hero and world number six had only himself to blame.

He was two ahead with two to play after almost holing in one on the short 16th, but then bog e y e d t h e m b o t h a n d , a f t e r Campb e l l h a d b e e n e l i m i - n a t e d with a bogey at the start of sudden death, he missed the green when he and Cabrera switched to the 10th hole and could not get up and down.

‘‘I’ve got two to think about now,’’ said Perry, who had missed a 15-footer for victory on the last. ‘‘But if this is the worst thing that happens to me, I can live with it.

‘‘Great players get it done and Angel got it done.’’ Only just, though. Cabrera was in the trees at the final hole of regulation play and then hit a tree before saving par with a 114-yard wedge and seven-foot putt.

As far as the European hopefuls went, Rory McIlroy did far better than the other teenagers and Sandy Lyle did far better than the other old guys.

Not one of the 24 finished among the top 16 who earn invites back to Augusta next year – and that has happened only once before since 1981.

McIlroy, 19, and 51-year-old Lyle tied for 20th, one offering great promise for the future and the other showing he can still compete with the younger generation.

The last European winner of The Masters remains Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999.