Jordan Spieth was left scratching his thinning hair after what he described his ‘worse score in years’ in his very first event, the Barclays Championship, since replacing Rory McIlroy as World No. 1.
The double major winning Texan was two under par through six holes but then completed his inward nine in six over par with Spieth posting at 13th hole birdie but also six bogeys and a 12th hole double bogey on route to a four over par 74 on the Plainfield Country Club course in Edison, New Jersey
Jordan Spieth commences his first event as World No. 1 with what he described as ‘my worse score in years’.
It left Spieth trailing nine shots behind fellow Masters Champion Bubba Watson who enjoyed a share of clubhouse lead with two others in shooting a five-under par 65 in the first of the four FedEx Cup Play-Off events.
“I would argue that this was, after the tee shots, this is the worst round I have played in years, for hitting so few fairways,” said Spieth.
“I’ll just take it at that, that it’s just a fluke. I made some birdies, like only three, but typically I should make more than that.
“So it was a very off day with a little bit of rust with the wedges and combined some poor decision making and it just came out of nowhere.
“So it was a really unique round for this year and while it won’t set me back, I am just really frustrated and tomorrow I just need to limit my mistakes.”
In fact, it was Spieth’s highest score all year and a worst since shooting 80 on day three in last September’s season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
Spieth played with Watson and new PGA Champion Jason Day.
And Watson was asked his reaction to Spieth’s round given the double Augusta champion got an upfront look at his compatriot.
Watson said: “It’s golf. I’ve played many a rounds a lot worse than that.
“So, I’m not going to say anything to the No. 1 player in the world, No. 1 on the FedEx Cup by a long shot.
“If anything, I’m still taking advice from him. But no, it’s just one of those things. It’s golf.”
Day, who was in danger of pulling out after ‘tweaking’ his back on Tuesday night, posted a two under par 70 to be tied with England’s Lee Westwood who is the clubhouse leading European.
