Augusta, GA … Reigning Masters champ Jordan Spieth posted a blistering six under par 66 for a two shot lead on the opening day of the Masters.
It means the 22-year old sensation is now 29-under par for only his nine rounds of Augusta National since making his debut with a 71 in 2014.
Spieth looked in a class of his own picking up three birdies over his outward half and birding the 10th, 13th and final holes at Augusta National.
The Lone Star State golfer was never challenged to be 24-under par over his last five rounds of the Georgia golfing jewel.
It is also the best starting score by a Masters defending champ since Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal also signed for a 66 in 1995, and a year after winning the first to two green jackets.
.@JordanSpieth: “I certainly made a lot of putts today.” https://t.co/98JcMZ22vu #themasters pic.twitter.com/pedU7EMB34
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 7, 2016
And Spieth’s start has already ignited talk of the 22-year old becoming the youngest two-time Masters champion, and it that transpires the Texan would be some three years younger than legendary Jack Nicklaus who was 25 and two months old in 1965 when he captured a second Masters.
There’s also the Masters stat that the eventual winner over the past decade has been inside the top-10 on day one.
“I would have signed for 2‑under today and not even played the round, knowing the conditions that were coming up,” said Spieth.
“I got a lot out of the round with what I felt like was kind of average‑ish ball‑striking. Just scored the ball extremely well, which is something I’ve been struggling with this season.
“I feel like my game’s been trending in the right direction, I just haven’t gotten scores out of how I felt I’d been playing. That normally just comes down to putting. Certainly made a lot of putts today.
“If I can kind of straighten things out with the iron play, hopefully we’ll be in business. But, yeah, I am extremely pleased with that round today. I felt like we stole a few.”
Korean-born Kiwi Danny Lee and Ireland’s bearded Shane Lowry share second place with four under par 68s.
In contrast to Spieth, fellow U.S. golfing heartthrob Rickie Fowler didn’t get the 21st round of Augusta gift he was seeking.
Fowler’s opening score of 80, that included a starting double and an unlucky 13th hole triple bogey was two shots more than the 27-year’s 78 on the final day in 2013.
“Golf’s tough, and it’s a fine line, especially at this place,” he said.
