Day ties course record at Sawgrass with 63 for the lead

Jason Day, of Australia, hits off the seventh fairway, during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, May 12, 2016, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Jason Day, of Australia, smiles after finishing the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, May 12, 2016, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Jason Day, of Australia, hits from the sixth tee during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament Thursday, May 12, 2016, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Jason Day putted for birdie on every hole Thursday and made half of them for a 9-under 63 that tied the course record and gave him a two-shot lead at The Players Championship.

Day played alongside Jordan Spieth, who was playing for the first time since losing a five-shot lead on the back nine at the Masters. Spieth had another poor finish at the TPC Sawgrass to post a 72 on a day that felt like hard work. He missed a 3-foot putt and took double bogey on his last hole. He was 3 over on his last five holes.

Masters champion Danny Willett opened with a 70.

Day only missed three greens — all of them just off the putting surface.