Jason Dufner, Jerry Kelly, Jeff Overton and India’s Anirban Lahiri shared the lead at 64.
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His move to combat slow play, for example, was approved on Tuesday evening in Abu Dhabi at a players-only meeting.
Rory McIlroy got the better of Spieth in their first head-to-head of 2016, using his power and accuracy with the driver to set up a 6-under 66 that put him two shots off the lead held by American amateur Bryson DeChambeau, a former SMU standout.
“It was quite incredible, ” DeChambeau said of his round, which contained seven birdies, an eagle and one bogey.
Spieth and McIlroy chatted as they walked the later fairways.
“I think a major championship is the pinnacle of our sport”.
Of course, this is a different kind of desert, one far away in the Middle East, and the setting for golf’s first showdown of 2016.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy was one who welcomed the change, in one of the world’s more socially conservative regions.
Spieth, who eased to an eight-shot win at last month’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions, admitted he was disappointed with his driving during a four-under 68, but had plenty of praise for McIlroy’s round.
“I don’t play the game on (laying down) markers at all”, McIlroy said.
When already being watched by the chief referee, John Paramor, Spieth was reckoned to have taken too long over a putt on the 8th hole, his 17th.
The new policy is meant to allow Euro Tour officials to penalize slow-playing individuals instead of a whole group.
Former world number one Rory McIlroy said he was excited to start his new season in the company of the reigning world number one Jordan Spieth.
He had four bogeys to the turn, partially alleviated by one birdie, and had one birdie and one bogey on his way back to the clubhouse.
The 22-year-old describes himself as a “golf scientist” and has modified his irons so they are all the length of a six iron.
“I got a bad time on my putt on the eighth when they took us off the clock on that green and the guys behind us hadn t even reached the fairway on a par five”.
Stenson birdied five of his last eight holes in his first round after keyhole surgery on his right knee in December.
As part of the four-day event, Etihad Airways has organised a series of community activities including a golf simulator at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and a ladies best-dressed competition with a prize of two tickets on the airline’s Airbus A380 service to NY. He thrived in playing with esteemed company and said he took the way he was hitting the ball on the range in Dubai last week onto the course.
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However, the putter took some time to warm up as he dropped two shots on his first nine – on the 13th and 17th holes – both because of three-putts.
