New Masters champion Danny Willett can go on to scale even greater heights, says former Ryder Cup player Des Smyth.
As Jordan Spieth imploded spectacularly on the 12th hole in his final round, Willett seized his opportunity and ran out the winner by three shots at Augusta.
The 28-year-old Englishman was the 89th and last player to register after only arriving at Augusta National on the Monday. Come Sunday evening, it was Spieth who presented Willett with the Green Jacket.
Commenting on Willett's stunning success, Smyth told RTÉ Sport: "His rise in the last year has been fantastic. This time last year he was 102 in the world.
"He is now ranked ninth and that's how quickly things change in sport. If you can find your form and have the confidence to get out there, play your game and feel that you're as good as the other players then things can happen very quickly."
Smyth believes that Willett can challenge the likes of Spieth, McIlroy and Day to be the leading light in the game.
"I think can push himself towards the top three," he added.
"This win is going to give him huge confidence. I'm sure he can't wait for the next major which will be the US Open and then on to the British Open.
"I think the sky is the limit for him. He's an absolute cert on the Ryder Cup team, he'll be a rookie on that team but he won't look like a rookie as the Master champion. It's very good for Darren Clark that Willett has hit form."
Reflecting on Spieth's collapse, Smyth added: "The thing about Augusta is that it throws up amazing finishes and over the years we've seen some dramatic stuff on the back nine on a Sunday.
"When he walked off the ninth green you thought it was going to be a procession. He bogeyed 10 and 11 and then the 12th (a quadruple-bogey seven) caught him out. He was a bit too aggressive with his tee shot. Once you start drifting right on that hole it gets longer and longer.
"Nearly nine times out of ten you'll end up in the water. He duffed his next shot in. He really opened the whole tournament up after that.
"From then on he wasn't quite out of it, but things had clearly turned in Danny Willett's favour. He finished fantastic and had a great 67 in the final round."
