Justin Rose admitted it was a "chance that got away" as he once again missed out on Masters glory at Augusta National.
The three-time runner-up led by two shots at one stage in the final round after notching his fourth birdie in five holes at the ninth.
However, the 45-year-old Englishman came unstuck around Amen Corner with back-to-back bogeys at the 11th and 12th before he failed to take advantage of a superb second shot into the 13th as he three-putted for par.
That saw Rory McIlroy surge past Rose and he was unable to fight his way back in front as he signed for a two-under 70 to finish in a four-way tie for third on 10 under, two behind the Northern Irishman, who beat him in a play-off last year.
"I was really in control," Rose said. "The mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done. I was playing great, but just momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner.
"Just a chance that got away obviously. I was by no means free and clear and was nowhere close to having the job done, but I was right in position."
Despite the two bogeys, Rose felt it was his par at the 13th that ultimately cost him that elusive first Masters success.
"Just maybe off the back of two bogeys that was the one moment where four there really settles things down and gets me right back in it," he added.
"It was kind of like a continuation of a lot momentum I felt. So that three putt was untimely for sure."
Rose also praised the patrons at Augusta National, adding: "The crowd was amazing to me all week long. They pulled for me all week long. I felt their encouragement and support. At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It's more of a sympathy than anything.
"It was still nonetheless very beautiful, but another little stinger."
Scottie Scheffler, the winner in 2022 and 2024, claimed second place behind McIlroy on 11 under as he came close to snatching victory from 12 shots behind going into the weekend
The world No 1 followed up Saturday's flawless 65 with a bogey-free 68 to achieve the remarkable feat of not dropping a shot all weekend at Augusta National.
"The first two days I played what I felt was really solid on Thursday, and then Friday with the softer greens, that round really hurt, especially mistakes I made on the back nine," he said.
"But overall over the weekend I put up a good fight and proud of how I played. I did a lot of good stuff in order to give myself a chance and ultimately came up short."
Tyrrell Hatton at one time threatened to pull off a shock victory as he emerged from the pack with a tremendous run on the back nine.
The 34-year-old Englishman, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, started the day seven off the lead but began to make inroads with an eagle two at the par-four seventh.
Four successive birdies from the 13th saw him surge further up the leaderboard but he could only par the closing two holes to finish with a six-under 66 for a 10-under-par total of 278 and a share of third place.
"I'm really happy with the round that I put together in the end. Obviously had a nice run on the back nine. Happy that I've kind of guaranteed a spot here for next year," he said.
"To be honest most of the back nine I just wanted to make birdies because my wife is due in six weeks and I was thinking about how it would be cool to come back next year and our little girl will be pretty much 11 months.
"It would be amazing to see her in a boiler suit [at the Par-3 tournament]. Obviously you see all the other dads and their families and the little ones in boiler suits are so cute.
"Yeah, definitely a motivation for me to try and make some birdies and happy I managed to do that. It was cool."
The PGA Tour heads to South Carolina for the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island, the latest Signature Event, where Justin Thomas returns as defending champion. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 12.30pm on Your Site Golf, ahead of full coverage from 7pm
The next men's major is the PGA Championship from May 14-17, held at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania, also live on Your Site. or .
