Masters Tournament 2016: Mobile Updates for Friday Leaderboard Scores
For the second straight year, Jordan Spieth opened the Masters Tournament in grand fashion.
The defending champion couldn't replicate 2015's torrid score of 64, but he came close. He accumulated six birdies Thursday, finishing his 18 holes in first place with a six-under-par 66.
This time around, he immediately faced steep competition at Augusta National. Jason Day, a favorite to earn his first green jacket, looked poised to join him on top before torpedoing a previously bright afternoon with a triple bogey. Entering Friday's second round at even par, the 28-year-old now must make up considerable ground.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
With one round in the books, let's take a look back at Thursday's results and most memorable moments.
Thursday's Top Storylines
Jordan Spieth Starts Strong
After stockpiling subpar results this year, Spieth needed a quick opening to remind everyone he's the tournament's golfer to beat. Mission accomplished.
Before the Masters, he had submitted his worst performances during the first round, averaging a 70.86 score. Those woes dissipated in Georgia, where he shot steadily throughout Thursday.
Just as important as his birdies, he didn't hover over par on any hole. Since joining the fold in 2014, the 22-year-old hasn't succumbed to the stress of the prestigious event. ESPN Stats & Info highlighted his consistency at Augusta:
An early tee time saved him from the worst of heavy winds, and he looked at home using a new driver. Even though several adversaries remain on his tail, a bogey-free day placed the young Texan in the driver's seat with a two-stroke lead.
With three more rounds like Thursday's, Spieth would join Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the fourth back-to-back Masters champion.
Rickie Fowler Falters
Not everyone conquered the tricky course Thursday. Rickie Fowler quickly plummeted down the leaderboard with a double bogey on the first hole, and things didn't improve from there.
The 27-year-old bogeyed four more times, including a triple bogey in an unlucky frame. He ended the disastrous day with an eight-over 80, tying for 81st of 89 competitors.
Per ESPN.com's Jason Sobel, Fowler lamented his brutal outing:
He later offered a more positive spin on Twitter:
Either way, the world's No. 5-ranked golfer is in grave danger of missing the Masters cut for the first time in his career. However, this is familiar territory for Fowler, who missed last year's U.S. Open cut after posting an 81 during the opening round.
Making the day more jarring, he seemingly bounced back from the first double bogey in rapid order, tallying birdies on the second, third and fifth holes. Everything then unraveled for the prominent contender, who needs a remarkable Friday showing to stick around for the weekend.
Day 1 Surprises
As one big name stumbled, several no-names shined. Aside from Spieth, some unexpected golfers frequent cushy positioning on the early leaderboard.
Competing in his first Masters since 2009, when he missed the cut, Danny Lee holds second-place residency after tallying a four-under 68. The 25-year-old has never placed higher than 43rd in a major.
Four consecutive birdies from holes No. 2 through 5 put Shane Lowry in a second-place tie with Lee. Although hardly an out-of-nowhere underdog, the No. 32-ranked Irishman wasn't on most onlookers' radars after missing the cut in his first Masters appearance last year.
In spite of three late bogeys, Paul Casey exited Thursday with a three-under 69, placing the 38-year-old alongside Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. This equaled his first-round score from last year, when the veteran finished in a three-man tie for sixth place.
One of these three golfers can shake up the Augusta proceedings with another impressive round Friday, so Spieth can't rest easy yet.
Note: Stats courtesy of PGATour.com unless otherwise noted.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
