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 Just four days after clinching a remarkable wire-to-wire victory at
the Masters where he became the event's second youngest winner,
Spieth struggled to a three-over-par 74 in blustery, chilly
conditions at Hilton Head Island.
The 21-year-old, who spent a whirlwind Monday of media commitments
in New York, recorded two bogeys, a lone birdie and a double at the
par-three 14th to end the round a distant eight strokes off the
lead.
"I didn't drive the ball well, didn't particularly strike my irons
well and chipping and putting wasn't there," world number two Spieth
told Golf Channel about his form on the picturesque Harbour Town
Golf Links.
"It just was an off day. I knew I had a really good streak of
under-par rounds going ... so I'm a little disappointed there but
I've just got to come back tomorrow and make up for it."
Spieth has been the hottest player in the game for the past six
months and made no excuses for his lacklustre display.
"I stepped on the first tee after hitting balls and doing a little
practice yesterday at a course I'm familiar with," said the
American, who has recorded 10 top-10s in his last 12 starts,
including four wins and two runner-up spots.
"There was some adapting to do on the first few holes but from
there, I still should have shot a better round today."
Every, a double winner on the PGA Tour, benefited from two chip-ins
as he piled up six birdies and a bogey to fire a 66 and share top
spot on the leaderboard with 2013 RBC Heritage champion McDowell.
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"It was greasy, that's how I would describe it," Every said of his
round. "It's just a weird game, I probably stole five or six shots
today.
"Today was probably the worst I've hit it in a while. Last week (at
the Masters), I felt I hit it great and I missed the cut. Today was
the complete opposite."
South Korea's Bae Sang-moon opened with a 67 while reigning champion
Matt Kuchar, who played with Spieth in a high-profile grouping,
launched his title defense with a four-birdie 68.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank
Pingue/Steve Keating)
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