So a seven putts for a 10 for Els is how he did it.
His putting is mental and he's slowly been losing it the last two years.
Doubt you see him on the Senior's tour, imo.

It's not like Jordan has missed many shots. Not sure he can be much better, as he's left the ball off his second shots precisely where needed, if not on the green.

Day might get to 6-under, but he'll have to play some great golf. Otherwise I don't see anyone galloping ahead of 5-under. All things considered - Spieth has pretty much stuck to a successful template that is very familiar from last year. And about a 10-footer to get to 6-under on the 18th awaits...

Of course, tomorrow's a different day. 🙂

Poor Ernie... still has a top-10 swing, but the putting prowess of someone like me. 🙁

Jordan makes his 6th birdie at the 18th, no bogeys... Nice little 66 today.

It's not like Jordan has missed many shots.

He's been a foot or two from having no shot other than a punch out on 3? occasions and was lucky his ball didn't go in the water at 11, so he's gotten some breaks along with making clutch putts.
He's not in the same form as last year..yet.

LOL
Lousy accuracy on Day's approach at 9.

Spuzz Bubba off to the races as well

Bubba's a toolbag. Birdies the par 5, but sucks everywhere else. I think I heard him bitching at his caddie on #12 when he jacked one over the green, saying, "Pitching wedge, huh!?"

I'd last about 30 minutes as his caddie. Just want to punch him in that smart mouth of his. Shut up Bubba! I can't hit the shot for you dumbass!

    Bubba reminds me of a guy in my weekend group. If he's playing decently - nicest guy in the world. If he's not - tough to play alongside with.

    I'm surprised that the scoring hasn't been a tad better. The wind hasn't been quite as bad as the forecast initially predicted. Some of these guys (including Phil) have let a reasonably fair scoring day get away from them. Then again, just being out of position the slightest degree around those greens makes par no sure thing.

    PA-PLAYA This is why you don't let ESPN anywhere near golf coverage. Els posted a 9 on #1 with 6 putts. Not a 10!!! Check the scorecard ESPN!

        PIGDivot This is why you don't let ESPN anywhere near golf coverage. Els posted a 9 on #1 with 6 putts. Not a 10!!! Check the scorecard ESPN!

        To be fair, the Masters website and the Augusta.com website all had his score as a 10 for the entire round.
        My guess is Els recounted his score after the round and made an adjustment.

        edit:
        Masters officials made the correction.

          Interesting first day. Not a lot of fireworks, but a handful of guys keeping Spieth honest after pretty good opening rounds.

          What I found most interesting is how the back nine really slapped a few notable top-10 players around.

          Jason Day played the last four holes @ +5.
          Despite the 2-putt birdie on 15, Rory threw away two strokes over the last three holes.
          Bubba had only one par over the last nine holes in what can only be described as a disastrous meltdown.
          Fowler played the last nine holes @ +8, and a picture of his PGA Tour mugshot is being imprinted on milk cartons all over Georgia this evening.

          Adam played the last 7 holes @ +3.
          Dustin made double on 11, bogeyed the par5 15th and finished with bogey @ 18.

          Just some really bad mental mistakes by the top players, out of position, in no position to really scramble, and the guys who fought their swings really didn't have much of a chance. And the bad news (or good news if you're one of the guys at +4, maybe +5 depending on what Jordan does Friday) for the guys hoping to sneak inside the 10-stroke cut line is that Friday isn't going to be any easier.

          Jordan showed some of his usual major-type poise today, but he'll have to continue scrambling and putting, and as Spuzz accurately related - he'll have to tighten up his dispersion rate tomorrow. The wind will quickly dry the moisture out of the greens and any mistake made on the wrong side of the hole will be enormously exaggerated.

          Side note: after chipping in for birdie in his opening hole his very first go-round at Augusta, last week's winner Jim Herman finished +3 for the day. Not great, but certainly respectable, especially considering the circumstances.

          Post-round interview comment of the day, courtesy of Spieth:

          "Getting put on the clock isn't that big of a deal."

          WRONG, Jordan. It is a big deal. It takes you and several others entirely too long to hit your shots. Jason Day, hope you're listening.

          That's just a stupid comment, and it wasn't taken out of context. It is a horrible comment, in fact, from a young player who has an opportunity to set a great example to young players everywhere.

          But I forgive you. Just get about your business and stop dilly-dallying around. You're getting a reputation and comments like this only validates those criticisms.

            Supp Ernie, Ernie, Ernie . . .

            Ernie? Shoot look at the blow up Jason Day had

            • Supp replied to this.

                PA-PLAYA
                It's no big deal because it's never enforced.
                Once they do start enforcing it, the tune will change.

                IMO, the role model and set an example mantra is good PR for the pros, but they aren't serious about it.
                They play a different game and live in a different world than the rest of us.

                My Pops noticed the slow play ages ago.
                He started picking out the "TV Golfers" on the course with relative ease and accuracy, more than 10 years ago.

                    So far Spieth has been playing fast enough to avoid getting penalized. and I expect it would become a big deal once that happens.

                      Supp So far Spieth has been playing fast enough to avoid getting penalized. and I expect it would become a big deal once that happens.

                      Well, it's been 20 years since the PGA actually enforced the rule as it's written (Glen Day) and the most recent one was picking on a poor 14 year old amateur 3 years ago at the Masters.
                      So in reality, it is not difficult to avoid being penalized and I would add, if you are a "name" player, you would have to be crawling around the course to lose any strokes on your card.

                          Spuzz new punishment for being put on the clock. Next round you will be paired with Bernhard Langer and Kevin Na. You are guaranteed to be the fastest player in that group and you'll wish you never played slow again.