Jordan Spieth holds first-round lead at 6-under

Jordan Spieth picked up Thurs­day where he left off last year.

The Masters Tournament’s defending champion opened with a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 to take the lead after the first round.

Spieth leads an international field of contenders. Danny Lee (New Zea­land) is tied for second at 68 with Ireland’s Shane Lowry. Englishmen Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose are tied at 69 with Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.

Sergio Garcia was 2-over on his round through eight holes before also finishing at 69. He birdied Nos. 13-16 to get into contention, then saved par after driving into the pine trees at the 18th.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland eagled No. 13 and added a birdie at the 15th to move to 4-under. He three-putted from 63 feet at No. 16 for bogey and later failed to get up and down from the bunker at No. 18. The bogey there dropped him to 70, tying him with Danny Willett, Billy Horschel and Scott Piercy.

Spieth is looking to become just the fourth golfer to successfully defend his Masters title, attempting to join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02).

In windy conditions, Spieth opened the tournament much like he did last year when he shot 64 in the first round.

The 22-year-old Texan finished the front nine at 3-under. At No. 10, he rolled in an 11-foot birdie putt. He then got up and down at Nos. 11 and 12 before two-putting for birdie to close out Amen Corner.

Spieth appeared headed for bogey after missing the No. 16 green. His downhill pitch to the pin left him 15 feet for par. He holed the putt to continue his momentum.

On the closing hole, Spieth fired his approach shot to six feet, setting up his sixth birdie of the day.

World No. 1 golfer Jason Day was on Spieth’s heels at 5-under entering the back nine. But after making bogey at No. 15, Day found the pond at the 16th and finished with triple bogey. He ended the day at 72 and is tied with a large group that includes two-time Mas­ters champion Bernhard Langer, 58.

Bryson DeChambeau leads the amateur contingent with 72.

Two-time Masters champion Tom Watson, in his final appearance, opened with 74. Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson fell apart on the back nine and posted 75.

Ernie Els set a tournament record with the highest score posted on the first hole with 9 after six-putting from five feet. He finished with 80, matching Rickie Fowler.