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Jordan Spieth was lights out on Thursday. USATSI

Jordan Spieth is back! OK, I'm kidding. Spieth never went anywhere. Yes, he missed the cut at The Players Championship last week, but he also missed the cut there last year. I think that worked out all right. This year is looking like it will be fine too as Spieth dropped a 6-under 64 in the first round at the AT&T Byron Nelson.

The 64 ties his all-time best first round on the PGA Tour. It also tied him for fourth with Dustin Johnson as play was suspended before everyone got through the first round in on Thursday. Those two trail Sergio Garcia, Danny Lee and Johnson Wagner by one shot.

Spieth, who has been under par in five of the first six rounds he's played at this tournament, made seven birdies, one bogey and didn't even putt all that well (38th in strokes gained putting). He got off to a hot start, though, by making birdie at the first hole of the tournament.

"Solid start to the tournament," said Spieth. "I got off to a good start with short-siding myself but holing the chip which is a nice bonus. Really saved a stroke and a half on that shot and took advantage of the easier holes and made a couple mid-range putts I haven't been making or at least I didn't last week."


Spieth didn't think he hit it very well even though he was top 10 in strokes gained tee to green on the day.

"I hit it better last week than I did today," said Spieth. "I certainly felt more comfortable over the ball last week than I did today. I think it may have been just been kind of an off day because I've been striking it great even this whole week. I would say ... I got of the most out of the round, which is what I was looking for."

Interestingly, Spieth has never finished in the top 10 at this tournament despite playing it every year. His best finish was actually a T16 as a 16-year-old amateur when he got a sponsor's exemption.

He spoke again to some of the frustration that was evident even in his 64.

"You got to learn to deal with it your own way and everyone gets frustrated when you play golf," Spieth said. "You can't be perfect in this game. Everyone who is out here is on some level of being a perfectionist. Kind of counters each other. That's where you get frustrated."

I'm guessing Spieth would gladly be frustrated with four straight 64s and his second win of the season.