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Jordan Spieth has spluttered his way through the first round of his Australian Open title defence, doing just enough to stay in touch with the early leaders in hot, windy conditions.
The world No.1 got off to a fast start when he opened on the 10th hole at The Australian with a birdie but never got better than two-under-par at any point before posting an even-par 71 on Thursday.
He missed a birdie putt on the par-4 sixth and struggled to replicate anything like the form that won him two major titles this year.
With temperatures soaring past 30C before 9am, the conditions were far removed from those in which the Texan hit a course-record 63 to win last year’s title.
Playing partner Geoff Ogilvy seemed more at home in the heat and wind, firing seven birdies to overcome a double bogey on the 18th hole and finish three-under for the round.