For most players, hitting 6-of-14 fairways and only 7-of-18 greens in regulation would spell disaster, but Jordan Spieth showed why he's not "most players" on Thursday at the WGC-Bridgestone.

Spieth posted a 2-under 68 at Firestone Country Club despite fighting his swing all day -- an extension of issues he's had since the Memorial. Spieth watched as Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose had a stripe show all day, but Spieth needed only 21 official putts to get around Firestone on Thursday.

That putting performance made the difference in the round, as Spieth finished ahead of Johnson and Rose -- who each shot 69 -- despite scrambling for most of the day from tee-to-green. He closed his round with four birdies in the final four holes to climb into T5, four back of the leader, William McGirt.

Jason Day sits at 3-under par and tied for second while Rickie Fowler was among the groups tied for fifth with Spieth.