Jordan Spieth Wins 2016 Dean & DeLuca Invitational: Score, Highlights, Reaction

Jordan Spieth has endured undeniable struggles since his back-nine collapse at the Masters, which made his home-state victory at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational all the more significant.

Spieth fired a five-under 65 in Sunday's final round at Colonial Country Club in Forth Worth, Texas, posting a 17-under total that bested runner-up Harris English by three strokes.

In addition to taking home 500 FedEx Cup points and a cool $1.206 million winner's check, Spieth showed he has uncommon mental fortitude.

Jason Sobel of ESPN.com elaborated. "I've said this before: Jordan Spieth plays better when he's mad. Had a chip on his shoulder after last week," Sobel wrote. "Brushed it aside today."

"That's a tough hump to get over, coming back from Augusta and to do it in our third tournament back," Spieth said, per Sobel.

Sobel highlighted that Spieth's Masters collapse was not an indication of bigger problems on Sundays:

The strength of Spieth's mental game at 22 years old should intimidate his closest competition. Even after his collapse at Augusta National, which featured a quadruple bogey at the par-three 12th hole, Spieth didn't seem concerned about his outlook, per a May 3 report by ESPN.com:

"

I'm not taking it very hard. I've got ladies at the grocery stores putting their hand on me and going, "Really praying for you. How are you doing?" I'm like, "My dog didn't die. I'll be OK. I'll survive." It happens.

Actually, I laugh about it now. I really do. But it keeps coming up, and I understand that.

"

Since Spieth's romp at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January, when he shot 30 under par to blow the field away, he had struggled. He'd missed the cut at the Northern Trust Open and hadn't logged a top-10 finish in four other stroke-play events before the Masters.

Then he missed the cut at The Players Championship, and although he played in the last pairing at the AT&T Byron Nelson in Irving, Texas, Spieth's game betrayed him over the final 18 holes en route to a four-over 74.

Furthering the glory of Sunday's bounce-back triumph is the fact that Spieth already has eight PGA Tour victories in his career. PGA Tour Media noted he made history with Sunday's win:

Putting is the area of Spieth's game that has helped create separation between him and the other elite golfers. He rolled the rock beautifully on Colonial's greens, but iron play put him in position to contend.

The American prodigy, who was 118th on tour in greens-in-regulation percentage entering this week, has to be relieved his ball-striking improved at the perfect time.

Spieth will have to keep his foot on the gas given the current climate of golf, though. World No. 1 Jason Day already has three wins this season, including The Players Championship.

Rory McIlroy's form has improved of late. He's flashed upside with a cross-handed putting grip, finishing fourth at the WGC-Dell Match Play, tying for 10th at the Masters and tying for fourth at the Wells Fargo Championship before winning a hometown event of his own at the Irish Open last week.

If he can maintain his level of play, Spieth should continue to keep pace with Day, McIlroy and anyone else who stands in his way of further conquests in the majors. The next big stage for Spieth will be at June's U.S. Open, where he is the defending champion.

That Spieth was able to respond with a win following two brilliant performances by Day and McIlroy bodes well for his outlook as he attempts to defend the championship trophy at the year's second major.

Note: Stats courtesy of PGATour.com.