Jordan Spieth has revealed that he intends to use last year's near miss at The Masters to spur him on to success this time around.

The 21-year-old finished three shots behind winner Bubba Watson 12 months ago, although the opening day of the elite event was all about him as he shot a first-round 64 to take a three-shot lead of his own at Augusta.

Having made a strong start, becoming the youngest first-round leader in the process, Spieth is now hoping to push on over the coming days.

"I think this goes down as one of the best rounds I've played. The course was as gettable as I think it will be this week but it was a lot of fun," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Star. "It's nice to put myself in a position now where I can really dig in, keep giving myself opportunities and not worry about anything else.

"I can pretty much control my own destiny from here. I was leading last year at one point by a couple of shots on Sunday and it didn't go my way. I'm pleased to be in that position here again.

"I know how many things can happen in a Major championship and I'll try to learn from last year and stay patient these next three rounds. It's tough to sleep on a lead here and I saw that last year. But at the same time, I'm a lot more confident in the way that I can handle certain situations."

England's Justin Rose is among the chasing pack, meanwhile, after shooting a five-under round of 67.