Francesco Molinari joked he made more fans in America with his back-nine Masters meltdown to allow Tiger Woods to win the title.
The Open champion took a two-shot lead into the final round and extended his streak to 49 holes without a bogey to 49 holes before disaster struck at No.12.
Jordan Spieth dumped two balls into Rae's Creek at Golden Bell on his way to a quadruple-bogey seven while leading in 2016.
This year the Italian fell victim to the deadly, 155-yard par-3 as his weak tee shot came up 12 yards short and dribbled back into the water.
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He chipped up to 11 feet but missed the bogey putt and his double bogey saw him fall into a tie for the lead with Woods and Xander Schauffele.
He had dropped only one shot in the previous 65 holes.
After getting a shot back at 14, Molinari laid up before the water at the par-5 15th but his wedge from 69 yards caught a pine tree and fell into the lake. His fifth shot was short again and just held onto a bank and he scrambled a seven.
The Ryder Cup hero, who had nailed a series of nerveless par putts to stay out in front on the front nine, limped home in 74 to finish tied fifth.
“The attitude was good,” Molinari said.
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“It was tough in the wind but it was the same for everyone.
"At swing I had a bad swing. I had a good reaction at 13 and 14. 15 I just made a mess of the hole. It is what it is.
“I am proud of the week. I fought hard this week. I think I found some new fans today with two double bogeys.
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“I think I learned a lot. Next year I will come back and and it won't be the case where I have never played well here before.
"On the back nine, there were a couple of instances of not being aggressive enough and I lot a bit of focus.
"It is weird to say that but it is a long week and it is keep focused 100%.”
