Jordan Spieth Collapses Late in 1st Round at 2018 British Open

Defending champion Jordan Spieth endured a late collapse in his first round of the 2018 British Open at Carnoustie on Thursday as he carded a one-over 72.

He looked on course for a fine round in Angus, Scotland, until he got to the 15th, where a wayward shot led to him carding a double-bogey six.

The American could only make four at the par-three 16th and found the water from the tee at No. 18 after a poor drive that went way to the right.

Spieth gave himself a chance to make par with a decent approach, but the putt would not drop. He has work to do on Friday, when he tees off at 2:59 p.m. local time (9:59 a.m. ET). 

Spieth's first 14 holes were as solid as they came on Thursday.

His only regret would be that he failed to pick up any shots on the par-five sixth and 14th, while he also missed some makeable birdie putts after fine approaches.

He did, though, make early birdies at the second and fourth and holed a long putt to save par on the sixth after going in a bunker.

He remarkably managed to avoid a bunker with the most dangerous of putts as he got up and down from a treacherous spot at the eighth, per CBSSports.com's Will Brinson:

The world No. 6 headed to the last four holes looking in fine shape, having not bogeyed a hole and with the potential to get into the clubhouse near the top of the leaderboard.

But a mistake with his approach at No. 15 saw Spieth finish in a bunker short of the green. He was forced to escape sideways as his ball was right up against the face and he could then only chip to 20 feet.

He was unable to save bogey and it seemed to affect him as he went way right off the tee to the par-three 16th.

Another bogey put the three-time major winner back to even par and all the good work of the first 14 holes had been wiped out.

A brilliant two-putt saw the 24-year-old make par at No. 17 after his approach had gone right to the back of the green, with the pin at the front.

But Spieth found the Barry Burn as he went wildly right at the 18th to compound the misery:

He was unable to get up and down after having to take a drop.