DORAL (AFP) — Defending Masters champion Jon Rahm hopes that his early return to the scene of his triumph at Augusta National will reduce the emotion of next week's tournament.

The Spaniard, who is playing this weekend in LIV Golf's Miami event at Doral, overturned a four-stroke deficit on the final day last year to defeat Americans Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson by four shots.

Last week, he traveled to Augusta and, as well as playing the course, took some time to take in the scene of his second major triumph.

"I wanted to go back at least once before Masters Week. I didn't want the first time back at Augusta National to be the tournament week, I wanted to get a lot of the emotions out of the way, and also see the course and see if they've done any changes," he added.

"I was trying to see the golf course, and learn a few new things, and learn what they've changed."

"But mainly, in my mind, it was just kind of getting to experience those emotions, and being back, going to the champions locker room, seeing my name up there," he said.