Jordan Spieth says the presence of an in-form Tiger Woods allowed him to go "under the radar" at this year's Masters.
After recording back-to-back top-10 finishes prior to the tournament, Woods was the centre of attention ahead of the season's opening major at Augusta.
However, while the 14-time major champion ended up in a tie for 32nd, Spieth produced a stunning final round of 64 to finish third, two shots behind winner Patrick Reed.
While he came up short in his bid to claim a second green jacket, the 24-year-old felt Woods' appearance in the field eased the focus on his own performances.
"I noticed significantly at the Masters this year, when it felt like I was going under the radar there for the first time in my career," Spieth told the media.
"That was in large part to Tiger being there, plus the lead-up he had into it when he was contending for tournaments.
"I thought that maybe made it a little easier to go about my business."
Both Spieth and Woods are competing at The Players Championship this week, though they are not paired together for the opening two rounds at Sawgrass.
Spieth finished in a tie for fourth in 2014 but has missed the cut for the last three years, something he puts down to his attempts to force the issue on an unforgiving course.
"I kind of feel like I'm free-wheeling it [this year]," the Texan said. "I don't have a great history here in the last few years, but I also have played the course really well before and had a chance to win."
"You've really got to think through the place, let it come to you. This is not a place to go out and try and force birdies – in the last few years, that approach has got me into trouble.
"[I am] approaching it from a more patient standpoint this year. You have to have true control from tee to green into very small windows. There are troubles on both sides of almost every hole."
