AUGUSTA, Georgia - Australia's long wait for a Masters champion is finally over, and when Adam Scott won at rainy Augusta National on Sunday an entire nation rejoiced and breathed a collective sigh of relief.

For Scott, it was the ultimate redemption for a player who was first labelled an underachiever when he did not contend in any of golf's four majors and eventually a choker when he did but could not win.

Adam Scott of Australia (L) celebrates winning the Masters with caddie Steve Williams (C) in front of Angel Cabrera of Argentina (R) on the 10th green during a playoff in the 2013 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 14, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

But for Australia, it was a chance to celebrate some good news on the sporting scene after a miserable performance at last year's London Olympics and a run of losses against England in the Ashes cricket series.

Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard led a flood of tributes to Scott.

"Adam Scott held his nerve and prevailed in the most intense pressure imaginable on any sporting field. With this outstanding achievement, Adam Scott has done his country proud," Gillard said in a statement.

For a country used to sporting success, the Masters had somehow managed to elude the country's best golfers for generations and winning it had become something of an obsession.

When Cadel Evans won the Tour de France in 2011, the Masters was deemed the last frontier and the 'Holy Grail' of Australian sport.

During Sunday's final round the streets in Scott's home town in Australia were deserted as everyone tuned it to watch the television.

"It was a Cadel Evans-like win," said Tony Roosenburg, the director of the Australian Open golf tournament.

"There have been a lot of black moments for Australians at the Masters. It is great for Australian golf."