A year after losing a play-off to Rory McIlroy he was leading by a shot as he approached Augusta National’s troublesome trio of holes.

But he bogeyed 11 and 12 and then could only par the 13th despite being on the green in two and with that the opportunity was taken away from him by his Ryder Cup team-mate.

“Just a chance that got away obviously. I was by no means kind of free and clear and was nowhere kind of close to having the job done but I was right in position,” said the Englishman, whose final-round 70 left him 10 under and two behind McIlroy, who made a successful defence of the green jacket.

“I was really in control, the first 10 holes I felt like I was and the mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done.

“I was playing great but just momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner. That three-putt (on 13) was untimely for sure.

“I feel like with a sudden-death loss (last year) you kind of know you got to the house. You’ve done everything it took to win, then it comes down to flick of a coin at times.

“Whereas today I felt there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating for sure.”