Jordan Spieth didn't hold back with brutal comment before Rory McIlroy's Masters win

Jordan Spieth boldly claimed that the Masters is "technically the easiest major to win" ahead of triumph on Sunday. Ahead of the tournament at Augusta, Spieth argued that McIlroy had allowed the growing pressure for him to win the major to previously impact his game at the Masters.

The 2015 winner undoubtedly has a different view on the course than McIlroy. A decade ago, tied Tiger Woods' former club record when he sealed victory with a score of 18-under-par. The 31-year-old astonishingly managed four top-three finishes in his five trips to Augusta. For McIlroy, his dramatic playoff win came in his 17th attempt. However, Spieth insists that McIlroy's wait to wear the Green Jacket was made longer by his response to the pressure being placed upon him.

Speaking to last month, Spieth said: "Augusta's just blown up more than it probably should be. In that sense, it gets blown up towards Rory.

"Majors are majors. Augusta's - you know, if you look at the field, it's technically the easiest major to win, so the more I think someone focuses on that, the better."

Discussing his own mindset, Spieth revealed he doesn't let his form affect his confidence at Augusta. "I think the fact that I've been there when I've been playing poorly and played well and had a chance to win, now I'm like, Well, I don't really care how I'm playing," he explained. "It doesn't matter. That's a nice place to be.

"I've contended there when I've had next to nothing, and there's no real reason for that. It's not like I love that place or not."

"I truly think it's just, 1. If I didn't have anything, your driving accuracy is less of a problem there than it is at other majors, except maybe the Open. But other than that, I think it was just because the field wasn't the same as some of the other harder events. But that's a hot take.

"You know, it's the biggest tournament in the world, it has the most eyeballs for golf, so I think everything - no matter what the story is - gets a little blown out of proportion."

In his chat with Golf.com, Spieth hinted that McIlroy could have clinched three or four more major titles, considering his performance on more difficult courses than Augusta. Yet, Spieth expressed admiration for his old adversary ahead of Sunday's final round.

"I think he's more than deserving of having that honour [Grand Slam]," Spieth conceded. "He's obviously in control. If he gets to 14 with a decent lead, with the way he's driving the ball and the way he's striking his irons, he should be in pretty good position."

Despite kicking off the final round with a two-shot advantage, McIlroy found himself tied for first with Ludvig Aberg and a revitalised Justin Rose after bogeying the 14th. The latter pushed for a 19th-hole playoff after finishing 11-under, which McIlroy clinched with a birdie putt.

Meanwhile, American golfer Spieth ended up T14 on the Masters leaderboard. He could follow in McIlroy's footsteps and become the seventh player to achieve a career grand slam if he wins the PGA Championship next month.