Jordan Spieth’s superb win signposts road to Augusta Masters glory for Rory

Rory McIlroy best avoid US television for a week or so because the Green Jacket that should have been his destiny will be on screen and on the wrong golfer’s back far too much for his liking.

Yet McIlroy, a four-time major champion and still world No 1 can not only take solace from a lot of positives gained from his fourth-place finish at the Masters on Sunday, he can also take a leaf out of the rightful champion’s book and follow Jordan Spieth’s motivational journey to the ultimate success at Augusta National.

The seeds had been sown for Spieth’s remarkable and record-breaking victory at the Masters since his childhood in Dallas, Texas, watching Tiger Woods tear up Augusta for the first time in 1997 as a four-year-old; but the fuel for his victory was ignited by his debut here 12 months ago and the disappointment he experienced finishing second to Bubba Watson, having led the tournament with the eventual champion going into the final round.