Friday 29 January 2016 15:37, UK
Jordan Spieth fired a bogey-free 67 to sit one shot off the pace after the opening round of the Singapore Open.
The world No 1 admitted on Sunday to feeling "beat up physically and mentally" at a tied-fifth finish at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, and he was again left frustrated not to turn a steady start into a lower round at Sentosa Golf Club.
Four birdies briefly gave Spieth the clubhouse advantage alongside BMW PGA Champion Byeong Hun An, although late starter Keith Horne posted a five-under 66 to move top of the leaderboard.
With manager Jay Danzi replacing injured caddie Michael Greller, Spieth kicked off his fifth tournament in as many countries with an opening-hole gain at the 10th, before picking up shots with three two-putt birdies on the par fives.
Although Spieth was pleased with a better putting performance than in Abu Dhabi, the 22-year-old was left disappointed not to give himself more birdie chances.
"From the positions I was in off the tee it was a little frustrating," he told reporters. "I didn't get many looks for birdie and didn't get the ball inside 15 feet. I had plenty of opportunities to.
"My distance control was just off trying to judge the wind, humidity and the heat. So we just struggled a bit with that.
"No three putts and I had eight or nine putts over 30 feet. Typically I don't use a practice stroke when I putt unless I'm trying to coast it near the hole, but I had to do that on eight or nine of the greens.
"So when that is happening I know I'm not hitting it close enough. Still, the speed is great, I didn't lose any shots."
Japan's Shintaro Kobayashi joins Spieth and An one off the pace, while Berry Henson was on five under with one hole to play when play was suspended at 6.39pm local time due to the threat of lightning.
Jamie Donaldson finished level par in his first competitive round since injuring his hand in a freak chainshaw accident, while Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke looks in danger of missing the cut after struggling to a three-over 74.
