Jordan Spieth Goes Low in First Round of AT&T Byron Nelson

Jordan Spieth teed it up on the PGA TOUR for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 and in typical Spieth fashion, he put on quite a show on Thursday afternoon in front of his hometown fans during the first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson.

“I had nerves on No. 1 like it’s the first shot of the season. I didn’t practice for three weeks straight and then — which is very unusual. Normally two days off is the most during a season, and then just starting back into it,” Spieth said. “So I was pretty nervous on the first tee and getting started. To make the birdie there was kind of cool.”

Spieth did miss a few makeable putts, but his 55-foot eagle putt on No. 18 put the finishing touch on his 9-under 63 that marks his first bogey-free round in 35 rounds at the AT&T Byron Nelson.

This is the first year the AT&T Byron Nelson is being contested at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, the third venue in the past four editions of the Nelson following the longtime home at TPC Four Seasons in Las Colinas in 2017 and the past two at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.

Spieth was not the only one to take full advantage of the soft conditions following the big rains that hit the Metroplex earlier this week that resulted in players getting preferred lies and he was joined atop the leaderboard by J.J. Spaun.

“Played really solid. Took advantage of the soft conditions, the lift, clean, and place, ball in hand,” Spaun said. “So I was just kind of playing each hole as it came and was trying to make as many birdies as I can. Felt like when you looked at the leaderboard is it out there today for sure.”

Four golfers are tied at 8-under, one shot back of the leaders. The group includes 2018 AT&T Byron Nelson champion Aaron Wise.

“It’s a good golf course but it’s playing about as easy as it can play,” Wise said. “We got a ton of rain the last two days and then perfect weather today.”

MCKINNEY, TX – MAY 13: Sergio Garcia hits an eagle on the 6th hole during the first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson on May 13, 2021 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, TX. (Photo by George Walker/DFWsportsonline)

Two-time AT&T Byron Nelson champion Sergio Garcia is two shots off the lead in a group at 7-under with the highlight of his round coming on a 52-yard eagle chip on No. 6.

“A little bit into the breeze even with a front pin I could nip it nicely out of the zoysia grass and spin it,” Garcia said. “Caught it perfectly. As soon as hit it I knew it was going to be close. Didn’t know if it was going to go in or not, but knew it was going to be close. It was nice to hear the crowd go a little bit crazy there, because we couldn’t see it go in.”

Hideki Matsuyama fired a four-under 68 in his first event back since winning the Masters.

“I struggled with my short game today. I did hit some good shots, and it was fun to play in front of the fans and the gallery today. Very warm welcome, and it was encouraging to play in front of fans again,” Matsuyama said. ” I really felt like a Masters champion because every hole, every hole, there was just a warm applause and welcome. It was really good to play as Masters champion.”

Jon Rahm, who is playing in his first Nelson, played alongside the Masters champion and matched his 68.

Bryson DeChambeau is sitting in a tie for 77th after an opening 3-under 69.

“I played really bad,” DeChambeau said. Tthings just didn’t go my way today. I hit it really well, putted pretty well. Putts didn’t go in and the wind turned on me a couple times…Could have shot 9-under like nothing. Didn’t even make anything out there.”

Notables in the field include Rickie Fowler, who is in a big group tied for 34th at 5-under, last year’s Colonial champion Daniel Berger at 3-under in a tie for 77th, past Nelson champion Jason Day in a tie for 96th at 2-under and four-time major champion Brooks Koepka in a tie for 116th at 1-under.

 

 

 

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