Jordan Spieth Shoots 6-Under Par to Lead 2018 Masters After Round 1

Jordan Spieth's quest for a second green jacket got off to a fantastic start with a six-under 66 in the first round at the 2018 Masters. 

That score puts the 24-year-old alone in first place, two shots ahead of Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar. He has continued his excellent play after finishing third in the Houston Open last week.

Most of Spieth's damage Thursday came on the back nine, where he reeled off five straight birdies from No. 13 through 17, prompting this reaction from No Laying Up:

The Golf Channel's Will Gray said after Spieth's round what everyone should have known coming into Augusta:

Spieth put himself in line for a great round early with back-to-back birdies on No. 2 and 3 that quickly put him at two-under par. The best evidence of how locked in he was came on the third hole on a downhill putt that touched the bottom of the cup. 

Putting hasn't been a strength for Spieth this season. The 2015 Masters champion ranks 145th in putting average and 185th in strokes gained with the putter.  

Things would briefly take a turn for Spieth, who gave back his two birdies with bogeys on No. 5 and 7. The eighth hole was a significant step in the right direction when this second shot set him up for an eagle:

It's likely not an accident that Spieth appeared at ease in Augusta. He said prior to the start of the tournament that his ability to feel his way through the course makes it a good fit for what he does as a golfer, via Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News:

"This tournament brings out the feel side of me, which is the better side of on the golf course. You have a lot of uneven lies and sloping greens, so you have to play a lot off of feel and what that lie gives you. That's helped me settle in and not overthink things here and get into a nice groove. So it is my favorite tournament in the world."

Spieth's score is indicative of his ability to feel his way through the par-five holes. He shot five-under par on those five holes, catapulting him into the top spot after the first round. 

Everything about his opening-round showing is a huge positive for Spieth. His first-round scoring average this season coming into the Masters was 71.63, which had him ranked 170th on the PGA Tour. He ranks in the top 13 in scoring average in the second through fourth rounds.

In last year's Masters, Spieth posted scores of 69 and 68 in the second and third rounds. All signs point to a great weekend for the Texas native as he pursues his fourth career major title. 

Stats via PGATour.com