Two-time major champion Jordan Spieth carded a first-round 69 as he was upstaged by the local contingent at the Australian Open.

The main draw of the PGA Tour of Australasia event in Sydney, all eyes were on American star Spieth, who ended the opening round two strokes adrift of the leaders.

Runner-up last year after winning the tournament in 2014, Spieth started the day with back-to-back birdies in favourable conditions before picking up shots at the seventh and 16th holes.

Spieth's blemish came at the eighth hole as he ended the day three under, two shots off the pace set by Lucas Herbert and amateur Curtis Luck as the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

Luck recorded seven birdies for a five-under-par 67.

The Australian put on a show, holing back-to-back birdies at the second and third before sinking three in succession from the sixth to the eighth.

Fellow Aussie Herbert carded a flawless round highlighted by five birdies.

A shot off the lead are Adam Burdett, Benjamin Clementson, Ryan Fox, Peter O'Malley and Germany's David Klein. Spieth is joined by seven other players on three under.

Former world number one Adam Scott opened the Australian Open with a one-over 73, which included five bogeys.