SPIETH GOES WELL THEN HITS DISASTER

JORDAN Spieth’s hopes of clinching a 12th PGA Tour title were derailed when he hit a quadruple bogey during the opening round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.

The Open champion made a promising start at Waialae Country Club, occupying a place in the top five after 16 holes at four-under-par.

However, disaster struck on the par-four eighth hole, when his tee shot hit a tree before his next three also hit trees. He eventually walked off with a quadruple bogey eight.

Spieth, who had been favourite to win heading into the competition, managed a birdie on his final hole.

It left him with an opening round of oneunder-par 69, six shots off the pace set by the day’s joint leaders Chris Kirk and Zach Johnson.

Kirk registered seven birdies i n his opening round, including making a perfect read for one from 35 feet on the par-four 13th.

Johnson also made seven birdies and impressed on the same hole with a birdie from 24 feet.

The pair were a shot ahead of Brian Harman, Vaughn Taylor, Kyle Stanley and Talor Gooch.

BLAIRGOWRIE’S Bradley Neil goes out in the second round of the South African Open in Ekurhuleni later today. He hit a first-round 67, five-under-par.

Leaders on eight under are Scott Vincent, Branden Grace, Jacques Kruyswijk and Nacho Elvira.