Masters Day 1 Round-Up, Spieth in Familiar Territory

Thursday in Augusta is a day in which you can’t win the Masters, but you certainly can lose it. Nothing is more evident of that, than how Rickie Fowler (+8) and Bubba Watson (+3) both performed yesterday. However, the defending champion, Jordan Spieth, was as impressive as he was this time last year.

Spieth dropped in six birdies yesterday, like this one on No. 13. Six birdies complimented by a bogey-less round puts the 22-year old on top of the leaderboard at (-6). Spieth is the first player in Masters history to lead outright through five consecutive rounds.

What separated the 22-year old from the rest of the pack was playing well in the wind, and avoiding a meltdown.

Just ask how much Bubba Watson enjoyed the wind after missing this four-footer.

https://vine.co/v/iIFanbvFAIH

The two-time Masters champ didn’t fair nearly as bad as Ernie Els did. Els set a record of his own at Augusta with his quintuple bogey (9 strokes) on the opening hole. This was the worst start in Masters history, and the meltdown you want to avoid.

https://twitter.com/totalgolfmove/status/718251406709407745

Jordan Spieth is staking his claim as the Masters being his tournament. This is his third time competing for the green jacket, and he hasn’t finished below second place yet. Spieth is a combined (-29) through all rounds at Augusta, and noted that he is extremely proud of yesterday’s opening round.

Spieth’s group which includes Paul Casey at (-3) and amateur Bryson DeChambeau (E) will easily be the most watched group of the day.

TV coverage is on ESPN and begins at 3 p.m.