28 Nov 2014

Spieth leads Australian Open

12:11 pm on 28 November 2014

The American golf star Jordan Spieth upstaged two of the world's top three players, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott, with a four-under-par 67 on the first day of the Australian Open in Sydney.

The 21-year-old Texan finished his round strongly with four birdies on the back nine to take a one-shot lead over locals Aaron Price and Scott Gardiner, with the world number one McIlroy tied for fourth, just two shots off the pace.

American golfer Jordan Spieth

American golfer Jordan Spieth Photo: PHOTOSPORT

But the home favourite and world number three Adam Scott, playing alongside Spieth, finished the day seven shots off the pace in a tie for 82nd, recovering from a horror first nine with a two-under par homeward nine.

The leading New Zealander Michael Hendry is tied for 11th, three shots from the lead, and amateur Tae Koh had an even par 71 to be tied for 22nd.

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