Spieth takes control in his Travelers debut

CROMWELL, CONN. Jordan Spieth didn’t take long to figure out TPC River Highlands.

Making his debut at the Connecticut course, the 23-year-old Texan had eight birdies and a bogey Thursday for a 7-under 63 and a one-stroke lead in the Travelers Championship. Spieth birdied five of the first eight holes and took sole possession of the lead on the final hole, hitting a wedge to four feet for birdie on the par-four 18th.

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., was the top Canadian in the field with a 65, while Hamilton’s Mackenzie Hughes and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., both shot a 3-under 67. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., shot an even 70.

“Being 3 under through four, it helps you walk a little easier. It helps, kind of, the shots you are playing throughout the round,” Spieth said.

“You don’t feel like you have to take as many chances and I was able to play away from pins when I was in a little bit of trouble.”

The two-time major champion tied for 35th on Sunday in the U.S. Open in Erin, Wis.

Johnson Wagner and Brett Stegmaier, a Connecticut native who grew up about 40 kilometres from the course in Madison, were tied for second.

Rory McIlroy, also playing for the first time at TPC River Highlands, had a 67.

McIlroy was still experimenting with the putter he began using while missing the cut at the U.S. Open and missed five short birdie putts Thursday, but he finished with just one bogey.

The tournament’s strong field includes Spieth, McIlroy and fourthranked Jason Day. Day, who like McIlroy missed the cut at the U.S. Open, shot a 72.

Two-time Travelers champion Bubba Watson had a 75. Jim Furyk shot a 67, playing his first round in Cromwell since setting a tour record with a 58 in the final round last year.