Spieth Off to Good Start in Australian Open


Jordan Spieth took the first-round lead at the Australian Open. The 21-year-old Texan opened with a 4-under 67 to the Australian Golf Club near Sydney for a one-stroke lead over Aussies Scott Gardner and Aron Price in the PGA Tour of Australasia event.

Spieth, playing alongside one of his idols, Adam Scott, posted six birdies and two bogeys on the par-71 layout. Gardiner had the shot of the day when he aced the par-3 11th hole. The 38-year-old also carded four birdies, two bogeys and a double. He won a car for the hole-in-one.

Spieth said his good score was attributed to more benign conditions in the afternoon. "We definitely a really good draw today, with tougher conditions in the morning, but that happens and I'm very fortunate for that and was able to take advantage of it," he said.

No. 1-ranked Rory McIlory, who recently wrapped up player of the year honors on both the PGA and European tours, comes into the tournament as the defending champion. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a solid start and is tied for fourth after a 2-under 69 with Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge, Japan's Achi Sato, Richard Green and Australians Adam Crawford, Geoff Drakeford and Andrew Tampion.

Scott got out of the box slow with a double-bogey on the par-4 opening hole. He then made three bogeys on the front nine before rebounding a bit on the home half with a pair of birdies for a 3-over 74.

Nick Cullen, who won last week's Australian Masters, shot a 2-over 73 on Thursday.

For all the scores, visit http://www.ausopengolf.com/scores.