AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — With six birdies in a seven-hole stretch, Jordan Spieth flirted with a major championship record he didn’t know existed and atoned for his lone mistake with one last birdie putt for an 8-under 64.
It was the best opening round at Augusta National in 19 years, gave him a three-shot lead and stole plenty of buzz from the Grand Slam bid of Rory McIlroy and the return of Tiger Woods.
Ernie Els played the par 5s in 5 under and briefly had the lead until Spieth went on his birdie spree.
Els shot a 67 and is tied for second with Jason Day, Justin Rose and Charley Hoffman.