Spieth showing signs of revival

THEY came in their thousands to watch Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — but it was the game’s forgotten man Jordan Spieth who stole the show with an eye-catching first-round 64 at the Genesis Open yesterday. Woods threatened a run at Spieth with four birdies in a row at one point before settling for a one-under 70 after three-putting no fewer than four greens. McIlroy started well enough with two early birdies but he was another who struggled on Riviera’s devilish putting surfaces, needing a wretched 35 putts in all in a disappointing 72. The third member of the group, Justin Thomas, easily took the honours with a classy 66. Are we about to witness a Hollywood awakening for Spieth? He’s certainly been in a slumber for far too long, falling to his worst ranking position for six years — world No 23. In his last 17 tournaments, would you believe, the man who won three majors in his first three years on tour has mustered just one top-ten finish — and even that was one to forget, as he blew up on the final day of The Open at Carnoustie after being tied for the lead. On Thursday morning, it looked like more of the same from the troubled Texan. His opening tee shot was a wild hook that ended in an unplayable lie. Two minutes later, the hooter sounded to suspend play. Spieth’s exasperated look said it all as he trudged back to the clubhouse. Then came a lucky break that may end up changing everything. Officials deemed the conditions to have been unfair, so when play finally resumed seven hours later, the earlier action was declared void. JB Holmes was the only man to surpass Speith in round one, carding an eight-under 63 to lead his countryman by a single stroke.