Adam Scott: Rory is a "phenomenon"

Australian Adam Scott has claimed that Rory McIlroy is a better golfer now than he was at this stage last year.

McIlroy is set to face his demons in the upcoming Masters after blowing a huge lead on the final day of last year's event. Despite this meltdown, McIlroy bounced back to win the US Open with a record score just two months later.

Scott, however, believes that the Northern Irishman is a better golfer now than he was when he won his first major.

"He handled that better than anyone else could have probably - fantastic," said last year's Masters joint runner-up.

"He's great. He bounced back and won the US Open and he's become a better player since then.

"I mean, absolutely, Rory is a phenomenon - really."

McIlroy, 22, recently became the second youngest golfer in history to become world number one, only to lose it two weeks later.