Former champion Jordan Spieth made light of last year's dramatic collapse as he stepped up his preparations ahead of the Masters.

Spieth held a five-shot lead with nine holes to play in 2016 and looked certain to become only the fourth player, after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, to win back-to-back titles at Augusta National.

However, after dropping shots on the 10th and 11th, Spieth hit two balls into Rae's Creek on the par-three 12th and ran up a quadruple-bogey seven, with Danny Willett taking full advantage with a closing 67 to win by three shots.

Playing the 12th in practice on Tuesday, Spieth hit his tee shot to within inches of the hole and, after tapping in for birdie, turned to the spectators and said: "I really could have used that one about 12 months ago."

Asked about dealing with the memories of last year, the world number six added: "It will surely be there and it has been.

"It is one of many tournaments I've lost given a certain performance on a hole or a stretch of holes. It happens in this game. I stepped up today, first day back with the crowds and I hit it close, which is nice.

"I'm excited about the opportunity ahead, which is now I can go back and really tear this golf course up. I've got the opportunity for as many years until the day I get a letter saying 'we would appreciate if you sat this one out'.

"I've got that many opportunities to go back and really create more great memories on the back nine of Augusta.

"And if it happens this year, fantastic. I will do all I can to see all the positives and to grind it out like in 2015. And if it doesn't happen this year, then I'll be ready the next year to do it.

"It's my favourite tournament. I love being in contention here. I've had the luxury of having that every time I've been here and that's not going to happen over the course of decades. And I recognise that.

"But don't tell me that during the week because I'll believe that it can happen every time."