Jordan Spieth shoots 64 to grab lead

Jordan Spieth picked up Thursday where he left off last year at Augusta National Golf Club.

The 21-year-old Texan fired 8-under-par 64 to lead the Masters Tournament by three shots after the first round. Spieth tied Lloyd Man­grum (1940) and Mike Don­ald (1990) with the second-lowest opening score in Masters history.

“I certainly played well,” said Spieth, who tied for second in the 2014 Masters. “I’m excited about the start.”

Justin Rose matched his career low at the Masters with 67. He’s tied for second with Jason Day, Ernie Els and Charley Hoffman.

The 45-year-old Els turned back the clock with his lowest round at the Masters since the final round of the 2004 tournament.

Russell Henley led the contingent of six former Georgia Bulldogs with 68. He is tied for sixth with Sergio Garcia.

Bill Haas, Webb Simpson, Ryan Palmer and Paul Casey each shot 69.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, in his bid to complete the career Grand Slam, opened with 71. Also at 71 were the two Watsons – two-time Masters champion Tom and two-time and defending champion Bubba.

Tiger Woods, in his first tournament in two months, sprayed shots all over the course for 73. The four-time Mas­ters champ played the final six holes in 1-under-par.

Spieth was 2-under when he posted three consecutive birdies starting at No. 8. He hit his tee shot tight at No. 12 for another birdie before wedging his approach shot at the par-5 13th to tap-in range for another birdie. After missing the fairway right at No. 14, Spieth hit the pin with his second shot, with the ball settling 3 feet away to set up another birdie.

At the par-5 15th – the easiest hole of the day – Spieth hit his approach shot through the green and almost into the pond at No. 16. He failed to get up and down, posting his lone bogey of the day.

Spieth finished with a 20-foot birdie putt at No. 18. He posted his lowest round in Augusta after failing to break 70 last year.

“He’s special,” Els said about Spieth. “It’s just great to see. He’s a magnificent guy and a great little player.”

Day, who has posted two top-three finishes at the Masters, sat at 1-under through 11 holes when he heated up. The Australian birdied Nos. 12, 13, 14 and 15, then hit his tee shot tight at the par-3 16th for another birdie to move to 6-under. Day then missed the fairway at No. 17 and dropped back after making bogey.