Jordan Spieth Had a Very Good Day at the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jordan Spieth was walking down the 17th hole at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday when a voice from the crowd lining the fairway cried out, “Welcome back!”

Spieth turned his head in the direction of the sound, but it appeared as if he didn’t hear it clearly.

The salute was repeated, only louder: “Welcome back!”

And this time Spieth waved and looked over his shoulder with a smile and a grateful expression that seemed to say: It’s good to be back.

It has been seven years since Spieth arrived at his first Masters as a 20-year-old less than three years out of high school. Back then, he played with flushed cheeks and a hop in his step that sent a jolt of youthful vitality through…