Spieth, on the other hand, was dialed in. After birdieing two of his first three holes, he bogeyed Nos. 5 and 7 to drop back to even. But an eagle on No. 8 got him going. And at Amen Corner, where he lost the Masters in 2016, he started a remarkable run. It was the first time he birdied five holes in a row at Augusta.

He zipped past Tony Finau, who, playing in first Masters, suffered a high-ankle sprain on Wednesday while celebrating a hole-in-one at the Par-3 Tournament. Finau was cleared to play Thursday, and though he was walking somewhat gingerly, his game somehow did not show any ill effects. He had the outright lead for a bit before Spieth overran him.

Conditions were perfect by the afternoon, which played into Spieth’s favor, as one of the last groups to finish. And for the ninth time in just 17 career rounds at Augusta, he holds the lead.

Here’s how the first round of the Masters played out:

Spieth’s Amazing Round Ends With a Bogey

Well, Jordan Spieth’s birdie streak ended. He made somewhat of a mess of things on the 18th (he’s not the first), hitting a tee shot into the woods, then wedge out, then a 3-wood into the gallery. But he still always has the capacity for something brilliant, and he delivered again, deftly sticking his wedge within three feet to tap in for bogey. So Spieth is in with a 66, the ninth time he has led or shared a lead in 17 career rounds at Augusta.

Spieth Makes It Look Easy at Augusta

Five. Five birdies in a row for Jordan Spieth. The 2015 Masters winner has never done that before at Augusta. But even when things aren’t looking so great — like his tee shot on 17, which hit some tree limbs — the ball still bounced into favorable position in the fairway and he took advantage. Tremendous performance. Now 7-under par.

Spieth Continues Birdie Run to Build 2-Stroke Lead

Make it four straight birdies for Jordan Spieth. He’s so confident with his swing that he didn’t even need to look where his tee shot on the 172-yard par-3 16th wound up. He knew it was good when he hit it and just walked straight over to his caddie, Michael Greller, to grab his putter. He would like what he saw: a tap-in to take a two-stroke lead. The cup must look the size of Grand Canyon right now for Spieth.

Jordan Spieth Makes Three Straight Birdies for the Lead

Conditions at Augusta National have been almost idyllic, and Jordan Spieth is taking advantage. After an errant tee shot left on the par-5 15th, he had to lay up in front of the water. But he stuck his 90-yard approach within just a few feet and made the putt to grab sole possession of the lead at five-under par. Spieth has now birdied three in a row. The eagle on eight really jump-started his round after two bogeys.