Tiger off early, Rory late but Spieth leads Masters

Rory McIlroy resumes his pursuit of golf history Friday while Tiger Woods tries to show he can be a major threat but it's Jordan Spieth everyone is trying to catch at the Masters.

The 21-year-old American fired an eight-under par 64, one shot off the Masters and major low-round record, to lead by three strokes after Thursday's opening round at Augusta National.

Four-time major winner Ernie Els of South Africa, 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose of England, three-time major runner-up Jason Day of Australia and American Charley Hoffman, Thursday's first man on the course, all shared second on 67 with Spaniard Sergio Garcia and American Russell Henley another shot adrift.

Spieth, a runner-up last year in his Masters debut, became the youngest first-round leader in Masters history, replacing McIlroy's 20111 effort a few months older, and served notice with nine birdies that he is a clear threat for his first major crown.
McIlroy, who opened with a 71, tees off in the penultimate afternoon group and faces stormy forecasts, while Woods, who shot a 73 from the next-to-last group Thursday, has a morning start only three groups behind Spieth.

World number one McIlroy is trying to win his third major in a row and complete a career Grand Slam by capturing his first green jacket. The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland seeks his fifth major victory overall.

Woods, a 14-time major champion, is coming off a two-month layoff to improve his game after horrid short-game woes in events earlier this season.

He showed no signs of chipping troubles in round one but errant drives cost him dearly and the hope sparked by his healthy practice sessions dimmed a bit in his first competitive round at the Masters since 2013, having missed last year for back surgery during an injury-nagged 2014 campaign.
Among the contenders, Els had an early morning start with Spieth off six groups later alongside second-ranked Swede Henrik Stenson and 2014 US PGA playoff winner Billy Horschel.

Garcia, who has played 65 majors without a victory, and Day were four groups behind them with Hoffman in the following group.

The late challengers will be paced by Rose, the top contender so far to become Europe's first Masters winner since Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999.

Also seeking that honor was England's Paul Casey, who was level with Americans Bill Haas, Ryan Palmer and Webb Simpson on 69. Casey and Simpson make afternoon starts one group behind Haas.

Source: AFP