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Golf

Spieth takes early lead at Augusta

───   ADRIAN BOTHA 09:50 Fri, 06 Apr 2018

Spieth takes early lead at Augusta | News Article
Photo: Chris Trotman

The 82nd US Masters Tournament sent an early message on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club in that spectators will need to wait until sunday to get a healthy dose of golfing drama.


With so many of the game's best players in stellar form, and with so much buildup leading into the week, the first round concluded with a handful of expected storylines – and a few that were not so expected.

A six-time winner named Jack Nicklaus hit one of the morning’s ceremonial tee shots, and a four-time winner named Tiger Woods played his first competitive Masters round in 1,089 days. Battling an errant driver on the crucial second-nine par 5s, he shot 73 in his first major start since the 2015 PGA Championship.

Nicklaus and Woods represent Masters royalty. At Augusta National, there’s another champion, Jordan Spieth, steadily prying his way into such exalted status. Despite being only 24, his opening 6-under 66 included a 14-foot eagle at the eighth, and two-putted from 40-feet for a birdie at 13.

He then rolled in a nine-footer at 14, and his pitch at 15 left him a four-footer. Birdie putts from within 10 feet followed at 16 and 17 before a terrific bogey save at 18.

Already, that’s an astounding body of work. Three years ago, Spieth went wire-to-wire to shoot 270 and capture a Green Jacket at age 21, and in four trips to Augusta his worst finish is a tie for 11th.

“This golf course brings out a lot of feel in my game, and I think that’s advantageous.” said Spieth, who was held back by putting woes earlier this season. “Once you win here, you have an advantage over anyone who hasn’t won here.” 

The US Masters continues on Friday and concludes on Sunday.

- US Masters

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