Winds of change conspire to hold Spieth back

YOU have to make hay while the sun shines, but on The Australian golf course, it’s all about making birdies while the wind sleeps.

That will be the goal of US star Jordan Spieth this morning, at least, after conditions played a big role in the make-up of the first round leaderboard at the Australian golf course.

In an uncharacteristically rusty performance in which he carded five bogeys after the winds picked up mid-morning, Spieth battled to finish with a one-under 70.

It left the Texan seven shots behind leader Cameron Davis and outside the top 25.

Most players above Spieth, however, had one thing in common: a morning tee-time.

“Being seven back isn’t really seven back given the difference in the waves,” Spieth said. “Most of the scores on the leaderboard, there might be one or two from the afternoon. There were tremendous scoring conditions this morning which we are hoping to see in the morning tomorrow. I have to go out and take advantage and move up the board. And those guys will get what we had this afternoon and it will certainly be more difficult.”

Playing in his first tournament after a seven-week break, Spieth struggled to rediscover his touch — even in his normally flawless short game.

He bogeyed the first two holes and the sixth but three birdies saw him even through nine. Spieth yoyoed with shots gained and lost after the turn until nailing a 6m putt on the last to finish under-par.

“It was a bit inconsistent. I made five bogeys so if you shoot under par with that, that’s really good,” Spieth said.