2016 Masters: Spieth surges to Masters lead; Day stumbles with late bogeys

Jason Day was within one shot of Jordan Spieth before a late bogeys on the opening day of the 2016 Masters Tournament.

Jason Day has blown great start to his 2016 Masters campaign to card an even-par opening round to sit six shots behind the leader, Jordan Spieth.

Day got off to a flying start, making eagle at the second hole. It was followed by three birdies at the 5th, 7th and 8th holes to see the world number one make the turn at 5-under par – just a shot behind Jordan Spieth who was in the clubhouse at 6-under.

Watch World No. 1 @JDayGolf make eagle at No. 2 to get of to a quick start at #themasters.https://t.co/dHxVvlOgjg

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 7, 2016

Day’s day unravelled just as many Australians were getting themselves out of bed and beginning to get excited. A bogey at the 15th was followed by a disastrous triple-bogey at the par-3 16th hole when Day found the water.

Another bogey at the 17th meant Day slid down the leaderboard, eventually finishing in a tie for 21st place.

But rather than focus on the bad holes, Day was philosophical after his round, emphasising his good golf in trying conditions early in the round.

“Even though I gave up five shots in three holes I am only six back. If I can play the way I did early in my round over the next three days then I know I can catch up,” Day said.

Adam Scott didn’t have the best start in his quest for a second green jacket. Scott carded six bogeys on his way to a 4-over par round of 76 to find himself with work to do on Friday to get himself back in the tournament.

Jordan Spieth has put himself in a perfect position to become the youngest golfer to defend a major championship since Gene Sarazen in 1923. Spieth fired a bogey-free, 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead over after the opening round.

Spieth holed putt after putt to get a get a jump-start on the field but a number of big names are still well within reach of the defending Masters champion.

Watch @JordanSpieth‘s first-round 66 in under 3 minutes. #themastershttps://t.co/qiQwsKTAwm

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 7, 2016

Kiwi Danny Lee and Irishman Shane Lowry are two shots behind Spieth at 4-under par with a host of players another shot back at 3-under par including Paul Casey, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia. Two late bogeys to Rory McIlroy sees the Northern Irishman a shot further back at 2-under par.

Mark Leishman and Cameron Smith both posted decent 2-over par 74s to give themselves a chance at forging their way into the tournament on Friday. Smith in particular battled hard to rescue a good round after finding himself 3-over the card through three holes on Thursday.

The other Aussie in the field, Steven Bowditch is struggling to overcome a wrist injury and turn around some poor form. His 7-over par 79 means he’ll need something special to be at Augusta National over the weekend.