Dallas golfer Jordan Spieth began his quest for a third straight major championship Thursday with an opening-round 67 in the British Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. His five-under-par effort left Spieth two strokes behind early leader Dustin Johnson, who carded a first-round score of 65.
Spieth’s fans in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex had to get up early (or stay up late) to watch him tee off at 3:33 a.m. Central time as part of a threesome that included Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama, who shot an even-par 72 in the opening round. ESPN provided live TV coverage. The same threesome will tee off Friday at 8:34 a.m. Central Daylight Time.
Spieth birdied five of the first seven holes and finished with seven birdies while Johnson, who finished second to Spieth in last month’s U.S. Open, collected a pair of birdies and an eagle over the first five holes.Â
Three-time British Open champion Tiger Woods continued his recent major tournament futility with an opening round 76, including a four-bogey 40 on the front nine.
