Masters 2016: Jordan Spieth says loss is 'really tough' after presenting Danny Willett with winners' Green Jacket

Spieth saw a five-shot lead disappear over three holes to miss out on consecutive Masters Championship wins

Jordan Spieth reacts after hitting into the water for the second time on the 12th hole (Getty)

Jordan Spieth cut a disconsolate figure as he presented Masters champion Danny Willett with his first Green Jacket, having seen his championship lead eradicated over three holes that cost him the chance of retaining his title at Augusta National.

Spieth led from the first round on Thursday and looked nailed on for a second consecutive victory when he made the turn with a five-shot lead after carding a superb 32, reeling off four straight birdies.

However, he begun the back nine with two bogeys, and when he hit into the water twice on the par-three 12th, the American did well even to escape with a double-bogey that saw him drop to -1 for the tournament and four shots behind England’s Willett.

Spieth had a chance to match Willett on his way in, but birdies at 15 and 16 proved a consolation as he could only bogey the last two holes to start the celebrations for Willett and his team.

“It’s tough, really tough,” Spieth said after presenting Willett with his winners’ jacket to fulfil his duty as outgoing champion. “That ball flight [on 12] is one that’s come up for me quite a bit this week.

“[I’m] Pretty sure I’ll be disappointed with that one. We still have the confidence that we’re a closing team, we can still close. I have no doubt over that ability, it’s just something over that 30 minutes that I hope I never experience again.”