Jordan Spieth wasn’t exactly on top of his game heading into the Masters, but something about Augusta National continues to bring out the best in the defending champion.
The No. 2 golfer in the world leads the year’s first major after shooting a 6-under-par 66 in Thursday’s first round. He was bogey-free with six birdies.
But rounds like this are nothing new for Spieth, who is trying to become the first player to win back-to-back Masters since Tiger Woods did so in 2001 and 2002.
Danny Lee and Shane Lowry finished in a tie for second place after shooting 4-under 68, and the star-studded cast of Paul Casey, Soren Kjeldsen, Ian Pouler, Sergio Garcia, and Justin Rose all shot 3-under 69. Rory McIlroy faltered late and finished with a 70.
Jason Day, the world’s No. 1 golfer, made an early run up the leaderboard, but he went bogey-triple-bogey-par to close out his round at even-par.
Two of the worst first rounds belonged to Ernie Els and Rickie Fowler. Els made history — and not the good kind — when he had a disastrous first hole on his way to an 8-over 80, which also was Fowler’s score.
Thumbnail photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
