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Rory McIlroy has hit back at criticism of his Masters preparations after some golf fans claimed he held an unfair advantage over his competitors this week. The Northern Irishman made history by becoming just the fourth man to retain his Masters title on Sunday, yet faced a backlash from fans after admitting he had been playing the course in the weeks prior to the major.

Following his victory at last year's tournament, the rules allow McIlroy to play the course at his leisure, and the 36-year-old made the most of that privilege. McIlroy withdrew from three tournaments in the build-up to the Masters and said: "I honestly just don't like the three tournaments leading up to this event. I did a couple days where I dropped Poppy off to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her. The more time I could spend up here, the better."

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When pressed on whether he believed he had gained an unfair edge, McIlroy told reporters: "I joked last week and going into this week, this place feels like my home course. I haven't played anywhere else in the last two or three weeks really.

"I felt prepared in that way. I felt prepared that wherever I hit it on the golf course, I sort of know what to do. I know where to miss.

"I'm pretty comfortable with all the shots around the greens. I think it's a good blueprint. I'm not going to take three weeks off before every major, but to get to the major venues early, do your preparation, play and not just play and look at things.

"Actually play. Go out there with one ball, shoot a score and try to do it that way. I talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years about how he prepared for majors and he would go the week before.

"He would simulate a tournament. He'd play one ball for four days, shoot scores so that when he got to the tournament it felt second nature to him.

"I did a little bit of that leading up to here and I certainly think that's a good way to prepare going into the next majors."

Nevertheless, golf enthusiasts were unhappy that McIlroy took advantage of those rules, accusing him of exploiting them to secure victory, though runner-up Scottie Scheffler was equally able to do the same.

One golf fan remarked: "Sorry but this is one of the most undeserved Masters wins in history... Rory literally played Augusta every day for a month straight before the tournament. How is this allowed?"

Another commented: "Maybe getting the opportunity to play Augusta National unlimited times the month leading into The Masters, while skipping three straight tournaments, gave Rory McIlroy an unfair advantage over the other competitors.

"Just maybe. Congrats, or whatever. Like I've said all weekend, Rory is an all-time great golfer. He's not breaking any rules, but he is EXPLOITING the existing rules, which give him an unfair advantage over the field.

"The rules need to change. He seems to have been given unlimited access to Augusta, which made him insanely familiar with the course, and widening the competitive disparity gap. Everyone should admit this is unfair."

While another commented: "Can't quite put my finger on it but something feels weird about Rory flying up to Augusta every day for a practice round for the last few weeks. Just feels weird to me."