Rickie Fowler was pleased with his weekend performance after pushing Patrick Reed all the way in the Masters.
Fowler has taken criticism for some of his weekend efforts in major championships, including from coach and Sky Sports pundit Butch Harmon.
But after a round of 65 had earned him a place in the penultimate group on Sunday, Fowler came alive on the back-nine to shoot 67 for a 12-under weekend and 14-under total, one off the winner.
"Saturday and Sunday haven't been my strong rounds of late," he admitted.
"It was nice to put together a solid weekend, 65-67, I'm very pleased with how I played.
Fowler birdied holes 12, 13 and 15 to keep tabs on Reed before a brilliant approach to the final hole sealed a final birdie and the clubhouse lead, which forced the winner to pull out all the stops.
"It was fun. It's a good time being in that position, putting yourself in position to have a chance, to execute when we knew we had to.
"To do that, to make a swing with the eight-iron in there to that front-left pin... I'm definitely pleased with how we closed.
Second place was Fowler's best Augusta performance as he passed Spieth as the sole remaining danger to Reed, who found all the answers to secure a first major triumph.
"Beating Jordan's always nice," confessed Fowler, who still seeks his breakthrough at the highest level.
