Spieth Continues to Amaze


After just missing out on matching the all-time tournament record of 63 Thursday, Jordan Spieth followed up his scintillating 8-under 64 with a flawless and equally impressive 66 to take a five-stroke lead at the midway point of the Masters Tournament.

The 21-year-old Dallas native carded six birdies and no bogeys Friday to reach 14-under 130 en route breaking the 36-hole Masters' record held by Raymond Floyd of 131. Spieth also tied the all-time 36-hole scoring record of any major championship, matching Martin Kaymer's victorious march to the 2014 U.S. Open title, Brandt Snedeker at the 2012 British Open, and Nick Faldo in the 1992 British Open.

"As far as history and what happened the last couple days, doesn't mean anything, unless I can close it out," Spieth said of his performance so far. "I don't want to go in as the 36-hole-best record (holder), but somebody who didn't win. I just need to set a goal for myself, continue to strike the ball the way we have been and try and shoot under-par rounds on this weekend."

Spieth's only dropped shot in the first two rounds came Thursday on the par-5 15th when he hit over the green on the par-5 and took four more strokes to get his ball in the hole. That's amazing for someone playing in only his second Masters and on a course like Augusta National Golf Club with all its beguiling subtleties that favor veterans.

"To have one bogey through 36 holes on this track means that I'm putting well and putting from short distances well," Spieth noted. "I've just got to keep my head down and find greens in regulation so that I can continue to have looks. I'm getting some putts from mid range to go, and I don't really need to force anything."

As for his mindset for the final two rounds, Spieth will use his 2014 experience at Augusta - when he tied for second three strokes behind winner Bubba Watson - as a reference point. "What I learned last year is that the weekend of a major, those rounds can often seem like two rounds in one day," he said. "It's all the kinds of mental stuff that's running through your head - the overall stress level.

"The hardest thing to do is put aside wanting to win so bad, and just kind let yourself go through the motion - letting the ball-striking and putting happen. I have to be very patient and understand that this weekend is going to feel like a whole other tournament."

Spieth has the chance to make more history over the weekend. If he posts two closing 70s he'll match Tiger Woods' all-time, 72-hole Masters' record of 270 set in 1997 when Woods won by 12 strokes.

The two-time PGA Tour winner extended the three-stroke lead he crafted starting Friday to five over Charley Hoffman. Hoffman, a 38-year-old from San Diego who opened with a 67 to share second with Justin Rose, Ernie Els and Jason Day after Day 1, posted five birdies through 17 holes.

Hoffman's only bogey came on the par-4 18th when he faded his drive too far into pine trees and wasn't able to get down for a par, settling for a 68. "I'm happy with the way I played," Hoffman said during a TV interview. "I was going for a bogey-free round and, unfortunately, didn't get it done."

As for what it'll take to catch the player everyone left in the field is chasing, Hoffman added, "You gotta make birdies. The last two weeks he's been playing great."

Trailing Spieth by seven are two Englishmen, Rose (70) and Paul Casey (68), and South Carolina's Dustin Johnson. Rose got off to a rocky start with three bogeys in his first four holes. But the 2013 U.S. Open champion at Merion rallied with birdies at the fifth and eighth to make the turn in 1-over 37.

On the home half, the 34-year-old carded four more birdies and a bogey for a 33. "Felt pretty uncomfortable the first few holes but felt pretty comfortable from then on. I'm seven back heading into the weekend . . . but there's some magic out there."

Johnson wove an amazing round. After a double-bogey on the difficult par-4 first, the lanky, athletic bomber eagled the par-5 second and added two more eagles - on the par-5 eighth at 15th - along with three birdies and two bogeys for a wild and woolly 67. DJ set an all-time Masters record with three eagles in one round.

"It was plenty tough out there, but I played well," said the 30-year-old, who was 7-under on Augusta's four par-5s in the second round. "Hit some great shots and made some putts. I feel good; we still have 36 holes left. I'm making a lot of birdies and have to eliminate the mistakes."

Down to Spieth by eight shots is three-time Masters' champion Phil Mickelson, who posted five birdies and a bogey for a 68, while nine behind is four-time major winner Els, who followed up his opening 67 with a 72.

Tied for eighth at 140 are Kevin Streelman, who posted his second straight 70, Bill Haas (71), and Kevin Na and Ryan Moore, who each matched Spieth's 66 for Friday's low round.

Tied for ninth at 141 are four former Masters' champions - Angel Cabrera of Argentina (69), Mark O'Meara (68), Australia's Adam Scott (69) and South African Charl Schwartzel (70) - along with Louis Oosthuizen (69), Day (74) and Hideki Matsuyama (70).

Tiger Woods shot his first sub-70 round at Augusta National since the 2011 Masters to jump into a tie for 19th at 142 with Sergio Garcia (74), Danny Willett (71), Russell Henley (74), Jonas Blixt (70), Patrick Reed (72), defending champion Bubba Watson (71) and No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy.

After working hard for a 1-over 73 Thursday, Woods posted four birdies and a bogey for a 3-under 69 in the second round. "It was a solid day," the 14-time major winner and four-time Masters' champion told ESPN. "I gave myself plenty of looks out there. Overall, I made some good par putts to keep my round together."

As for the possibility of Spieth running away with the tournament, Woods - whose first victory at Augusta came in 1997 when he was 21 - knows the outcome is far from settled.

"Anything can happen here. You can play well here and shoot over par. I've been there before. Then again, there's a pretty big separation right now. I didn't have that back in '97. But (Spieth is) playing beautifully."

Woods was mainly pleased with his performance. "To put it together and put it in a position where I can compete in a major championship like this is something I'm very proud," added Woods, who posted his first round in the 60s in a PGA Tour event since last July.

McIlroy is searching for his third straight major after winning last year's British Open and PGA Championship, as well as a career Grand Slam, with a victory this week. But the 25-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a rotten start Friday, recording a double-bogey when he missed two short putts on the par-4 ninth along with three bogeys and a birdie to make the turn in 4-over 40.

But the four-time major winner rebounded on the home half with four birdies, a tap-in eagle on the par-5 13th and a bogey for a 31. "Wish I didn't need a back nine like that to get myself back in the tournament," McIlroy said on TV. "I'm really proud of myself for fighting back like that."

The 36-hole cut was set at 2-over 146. Playing in his first tournament of the year due to injuries, Steve Stricker posted his second straight 73 to make it right on the number. No. 2-ranked Henrik Stenson had the same scores as the 48-year-old from Wisconsin.

Stenson tipped his cap to the tournament leader. "That's definitely an old head on his young shoulders, isn't it?" the 39-year-old Swede said of Spieth. "He's playing strategically and very mature. He thinks well out there."

Among those heading home is J.B. Holmes, winner of last week's Shell Houston Open, who carded a 71 but fell shy of overcoming his opening 76. Also not making it to the weekend are past Masters champions Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Jose Maria Olazabal, Larry Mize, Tom Watson (who shot an 81 after a remarkable 71 Thursday), Trevor Immelman, Fred Couples and Mike Weir.

In the most poignant moment yet in the 79th Masters, Ben Crenshaw, playing the 44th and final time in the tournament he's won twice, finished out his round to huge applause coming up the 18th hole. In a ceremonial gesture, his long-time Augusta National caddie, Carl Jackson, who was injured and didn't work for Crenshaw this week, packed his bag. Crenshaw's looper the first two rounds was Jackson's brother, Bud Jackson, a caddie at the club for 49 years. But Carl donned the customary white caddie overalls and escorted "Gentle Ben" one last time.

After holing out for a bogey and an 85, Crenshaw hugged his old friend Carl Jackson and embraced his wife, Julie, and his three daughters before being greeted at the back of the green by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne and vice-chairman Joe Ford. The 63-year-old Texan then took his time waving and shaking hands with many in the gallery. Defending champion Bubba Watson, wearing his green jacket, was also on hand for the emotional moment.

"I feel like I won the tournament!" Crenshaw said during a later TV interview. "We know we're very lucky to be champions here. It takes a lot of good fortune and luck . . . I can't believe I've been here 44 years. It's a great part of my life."

As for his fellow Texan, Spieth, Crenshaw remarked, "I'm amazed at Jordan. It's like he's been here forever, but it's only his second time here . . . There's a lot of great players here. It's far from over."

Added Crenshaw of Jackson: "It was tremendous seeing Carl. We've had a great week. He's a great representative of this place."

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