text: Jack Nicklaus believes it is time for the 'young guys to take over' after Jordan Spieth's record-breaking Masters victory on Sunday. Nicklaus was hugely impressed by Spieth's four-shot win over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson, which saw him set 36 and 54-hole scoring records, equal the 72-hole record set by Tiger Woods in 1997 and also become the first player ever to reach 19 under par at Augusta. The 21-year-old, who was second last year, moved from fourth in the world rankings to second behind Rory McIlroy as a result and that means the world's top two players have a combined age of 46. In comparison, Mickelson is 44 and Tiger Woods 39. Jordan Spieth (left) sent a number of Augusta records tumbling on his way to winning The Masters . The 21-year-old Spieth equalled Tiger Woods' 72-hole record and became the first man to get to 19-under par . Jack Nicklaus (right) lauded Spieth, and heralded a new golfing era led by him and Rory McIlroy . McIlroy and Spieth have a combined age of 46, where as Phil Mickelson (left) is 44 and Tiger Woods 39 . 'That was an incredible performance,' six-time Masters champion Nicklaus said in a statement. 'It was so apparent that he learned down the stretch last year, but you have to remember he was only 20 at the time. 'Now he's a grizzled veteran at 21 years old - just 21. Jordan is so beyond his years. I like everything about the young man. He's polite. He's humble. He handles himself so well, on and off the golf course. And he's obviously a wonderful player and now a Masters champion. I think Jordan Spieth is a great person - just as I think Rory McIlroy is - to carry the mantle for the game of golf. 'I am someone who likes the new generations. I always have. I think it energises the game of golf. We had Arnold's (Palmer) generation, then it came to my generation, then Tom Watson came along and right on down the line to Tiger and Rory. 'And now we have Jordan Spieth. There are some older players who have been terrific for a long time, but actually this might be time for the young guys to take over.' Spieth's mentor and fellow Texan Ben Crenshaw also paid tribute to the new champion after watching the final round from his home in Austin. 'I don't know what it is, but he just has this maturity,' Crenshaw, who missed the cut in his 44th and final consecutive Masters appearance last week, told the PGA Tour website. 'He's got an awareness of where's he going. He's got a plan. Nicklaus believes that the duo of Spieth (left) and McIlroy 'energise' the game of golf . McIlroy came fourth in The Masters, falling short in an attempt to seal a career grand slam before he turns 26 . Ben Crenshaw, Spieth's mentor, praised the maturity he displayed to become the new Masters champion . Greg Norman took to Twitter to praise Spieth and also revealed his excitement for the future of golf . 'When I look at him, I look into a future. He's a player with so much imagination. I cannot wait to watch him play the Open at St. Andrews. It's a place where you have to have so much imagination. It's going to be fun.' Former world number one Greg Norman wrote on Twitter: 'Golf is in great hands @McIlroyRory and @TheMasters champ @JordanSpieth plus a cast of other phenomenal players. Great to see.'
target: Jordan Spieth sent several records tumbling on his way to Augusta glory .
  Jack Nicklaus praised the 21-year-old's 'incredible performance'
  He backed Spieth and Rory McIlroy to 'carry the mantle' for golf .
  Meet golf's brightest young star: Jordan Spieth .
  READ: Why it won't be too long until McIlroy wins the Masters .