Rusty Spieth seven shots back at Aust Open

Nov 23, 2017 - 6:55 AM Golf superstar Jordan Spieth has blamed some rust and nerves for his slow start to his Australian Open title defence.

The three-time major champion is seven shots behind leader Cameron Davis after Thursday's opening round of one-under-par 70 in difficult afternoon winds at The Australian.

Spieth had an uncharacteristic five bogeys in his round but was far from dismayed, rather looking forward to the usually calmer morning conditions on Friday to make up ground.

Spieth was teeing up for the first time in almost two months since the Presidents Cup.

"This was actually the longest I have had between tournaments since maybe college so I was a little anxious to get started," said Spieth.

"I kind of had the nerves to begin and my short game was a bit rusty and then I started to pick it up and play pretty well."

The 24-year-old world No.2 is renowned for his mental toughness and was bemused to find himself frequently making bogey right after a birdie.

"Yeah, it's rare," he said. "I take a lot of pride in bounce-back stats, after a bad hole, coming back and making a birdie.

"I did that, but then I was on the other end of it. Fortunately, we finished on 18 with a birdie. I can't bogey the 19th!"

Spieth believed wind conditions would again play a big part on Friday.

"Those (morning) guys will get what we had this afternoon and it'll certainly be more difficult, so being seven back isn't really seven back, given the difference in the (morning and afternoon) waves.

"My goal is to shoot three or four (under) per round, and so I've got to make up a couple.

I'm not anxious about the finish of this tournament yet. We'll just have to kind of stay focused on the goals that I've set."

Source: AAP