World number two Jordan Spieth showed the packed Augusta fans overnight, and millions of television viewers around the world why he’s the man to beat at the 80th US Masters.
One of the early starters, Spieth fired in a flawless six-birdie round of 66.
In the nine rounds the 22-year-old American has played at Augusta he’s 29-under, a Masters record.
In 2014,when he finished second as a debut 20-year-old to Bubba Watson with a four round card of 71 70 70 72 for 5-under.
Last year, Spieth became only the fifth Masters champion to win wire to wire after Craig Wood (1941), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), and Raymond Floyd in 1976.
And to top it off Spieth became the second youngest Masters champion at 21 years and eight months, to Tiger Woods’ 21 years, three months, and 14 days.
In 2015 he shot 64 66 70 70 for 18-under to match Woods’ winning score in 1997.
World number one Jason Day gave every indication he would match Spieth, despite a late tee time starter in windier conditions.
Day kick-started his round with an eagle at the second, and three birdies saw head for home at five-under, 31, matched only by Irishman Shane Lowry all day.
But Day’s lost all five shots on the homeward nine with his first Masters triple in his career at the par three 16th after his tee shot found water, bogeys at 10, 15, and 17 with a lone birdie at 13 for an even par 72.
“Actually I thought I played pretty well with the exception of those three holes (15, 16, and 17) that cost five shots,” was the Australian’s explanation.
World number three Rory McIlroy needs a green jacket to clinch a career Grand Slam of the four majors, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Woods.
McIlroy was more safe than attacking going out in 34, but the real McIlroy attacked more on the way home with an eagle at 13 and a birdie at 11, 15, and the last dented a promising round that ended up with a 70.
South Korean-born Kiwi Danny Lee surprised even himself with a quality 68 that included six birdies and just two bogeys,
The lowlights – the very popular South African Ernie Els’ campaign for a first green jacked in 29 starts ended at the opening hole with a 10 that was later changed to a 9, including seven putts, the last five at kick-in distance – tragic to watch such a brain explosion. Els finished with an 80.
Not far behind the Els explosion was Rickey Fowler’s 80 with a triple, two doubles, four bogeys, and just three birdies.
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson was looking good after turning for home 2-under, but he had a nightmare back nine with a double, five bogeys,and just two birdies for a 75.
And Adam Scott’s 76, with a birdie and three bogeys on each nine, he never looked at ease from the get go.
Masters leaderboard after Round 1 – par 72
6-under – Jordan Spieth.
4-under – Danny Lee, Shane Lowry,
3-under – Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Ian Poulte, Sergio Garcia, Soren Kjeldsen
2-under – Rory McIlroy, Billy Horschel, Scott Piercy,,Danny Willett.
1-under – Kevin Streelman, Charley Hoffman, Lee Westwood, Emiliano Grillo, Hideki Matsuyama, Brandt Snedeker, Jimmy Walker,
Even – Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Kevin Na, Bryson DeChambeau (a), Henrik Stenson, Thongchai Jaidee, Bernhard Langer, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Graeme McDowell. JB Holmes,
Other Australians:
2-over – Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith
4-over – Adam Scott
7-over – Steve Bowditch
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