Spieth cards five-under 67, two off lead in British Open

Dallas golfer Joran Spieth plays his second shot on the 12th hole of the British Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. (AP photo).

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. 

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.