Reigning Masters champion Jordan Spieth kicks off defence with six-under-par 66

Reigning Masters champion Jordan Spieth has begun his defence of the green jacket in fine fashion by carding a six-under-par 66 in the opening round at Augusta National.

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The 22-year-old, who was one of the early starters in the field, began strongly by scoring birdies on three of the first nine holes.

Spieth looked comfortable on the course in Georgia as he went on to birdie the tenth hole before facing his first sign of trouble on the 11th.

The American hit the trees but managed to reach par, and likewise on the 12th before securing a birdie on the 13th hole with a two-putt.

Spieth, who will become the fourth golfer behind Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods to win back-to-back titles at The Masters if he is victorious on Sunday, finished his round without a single bogey.