Jordan Spieth stumbles to even par, Thomas, Thompson top leaderboard at John Deere Classic

Jordan Spieth signals his tee shot hooked left on the second hole during the first round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 9, 2015, in Silvis , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (The Associated Press)

Nicholas Thompson signs a golf ball after finishing the first round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament tied for the lead with Justin Thomas, Thursday, July 9, 2015, in Silvis, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (The Associated Press)

Justin Thomas and Nicholas Thompson were tied for the lead at 8 under par in Thursday's opening round of the John Deere Classic, while Jordan Spieth languished far behind.

Thomas and Thompson each shot a 63 at the TPC Deere Run in Illinois, finishing eight strokes ahead of Masters and U.S. Open champion Spieth. They were a shot ahead of Charles Howell III and Luke Guthrie.

Three-time tournament winner Steve Stricker led the list of golfers at 6 under.

Spieth shot even-par 71 in his first round since winning the U.S Open. Spieth, who will go for his third straight major title next week at the British Open, had three bogeys in a four-hole stretch, and missed a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 18.

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