Jordan Spieth barely had time to slip his arms into the Masters champion green jacket on Sunday when he took aim at his next target – world No1 Rory McIlroy.
The 21-year-old American captured his first major title in historic fashion, matching the 72-hole Augusta National record low of 18-under par 270 to defeat Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose by four strokes.
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“It’s incredible. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt. This was arguably thegreatest day of my life,” Spieth said.
Spieth jumped from fourth in the world rankings to second with victory, but reigning Open champion and 2014 PGA Championship winner McIlroy has what the Texan is shooting for next.
“The ultimate goal that I have is try to become the No1 player in the world,” Spieth said. “I don’t think I am with this. I think that I’m still behind, and so I’m still chasing that goal. It’s going to be very difficult, but to be a large step closer (with this victory) is huge.”
McIlroy, a four-time major winner, was hoping for his third consecutive major title to complete a career grand slam at 25. Instead, he settled for fourth, a final-round 66 only good enough to finish six behind Spieth.
“Rory…he’s got four majors. That’s something I can still only dream about,” Spieth said. “I’ll never hit it as far as he does and I have to make up for that somewhere else. He’s an unbelievably nice guy…carries that world No1 with class.
“As far as a rivalry right now, look forward to getting in the heat of the moment with him a couple times in the near future and see if we can battle it out and test our games.”
One of those showdowns could come in July at the Open Championship at St. Andrews, where Spieth is delighted to be going as the Masters champion.
“To go to the Home of Golf and what I consider one of the coolest places in the world is going to be really special as the Masters champion,” Spieth said.
“I’m sure that it will be a great time, and I look forward to enjoying the town, the whole experience of playing in an Open Championship at St. Andrews. It’s really cool.”
Congrats to my buddy @JordanSpieth. Welcome to the “club”!! Beyond deserving and beyond impressive. Mature and classy. True champ!
— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA) April 13, 2015
Congratulations @JordanSpieth! I’m honored to pass on @TheMasters green jacket to you. You deserve it! #Champion
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) April 13, 2015
We were chasing @JordanSpieth all week, congratulations bro! Another memorable week @TheMasters, hope to be contending next year!! #Masters
— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) April 13, 2015
And in case you thought Spieth might be resting on his laurels, think again.
“Hopefully at that point, maybe try and go for the third leg of a grand slam. Can’t win four unless you win the first, right?”
Spieth said managing the mental game under pressure was his toughest test and called his eight-foot par putt at the par-3 16th “the key moment”.
But Spieth also dubbed his tee shot and approach at the par-3 13th to set up a birdie “the two biggest shots I’ve ever hit in my life” as they came after a bogey at 12 that put Mickelson within four shots.
