Miles ahead: Tiger-esque Spieth sets 36-hole Masters record
21-year-old evokes memories of Woods in his prime as he takes convincing lead
All smiles: Jordan Spieth waves to patrons at the 18th hole as he further highlights his precocious potential. Photo: AFP
AUGUSTA:
Jordan Spieth completed the greatest 36-hole start in Masters history on Friday, firing a six-under par 66 at the Augusta National to match the lowest 36-hole start in any major.
The 21-year-old American reached the clubhouse on 14-under 130 after two rounds, his bogey-free Friday putting him four strokes ahead of compatriot Charley Hoffman, who was still on the course, with four-time major winner Ernie Els of South Africa a distant third, nine strokes adrift after a 72.
Fourth-ranked Spieth broke the prior Masters 36-hole low of 13-under 131 set by Ray Floyd in 1976 and threatened the low 36-hole major total of 130.
"It's cool," said Speith. "Any time you can set a record here is pretty awesome. I'm really excited about how I played today."
Spieth, seeking his first major title after a runner-up Masters debut last year, opened with a 64 on Thursday to become the youngest first-round leader in Masters history, only one stroke off the record low round in the Masters or any major.
"I've been feeling good about the way I've been striking the ball," he added. "I just need to keep my head down and set a goal for myself."
Spieth missed a seven-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole and settled for becoming the fourth player to fire 130 at any major over the first two rounds.
The hottest player in golf over the past month, Spieth won his second US PGA title in March at the Valspar Championship and finished second at the Texas Open and Houston Open in the past two weeks.
Before green jacket fittings start, however, Spieth needs to close out the victory, something he could not do last year after leading on Sunday on the front nine. "It's definitely going to be more challenging," conceded the 21-year-old. "I'm going to have to be more patient, be OK with a bogey here or there."
Spieth pitched from 50 feet to inches from the cup to set up a birdie at the par-5 second, sank an 18-foot birdie putt at the fifth and birdied the par-5 eighth after finding a fairway bunker off the tee, blasting out and landing his approach three feet from the pin.
Spieth made an 18-foot birdie putt at 10 and sank eight-footers for birdie at the par-5 13th and 15th.
"It's very impressive," said Els of Spieth. "It's a long way from being finished. A lot of work to be done still, so we'll see. But he's very impressive."
The Tiger struggles
While 14-time major winner Woods, who has sunk to 111th in the world rankings, was finding modest success in his comeback after a two-month layoff to work on his game, Spieth was dominating as 39-year-old Woods did in younger days.
Woods, three under on the day and two under for the tournament, would remain the youngest Masters champion by about five months even if Spieth wins this year.
Woods has not won a Masters since 2005, has not won a major since the 2008 US Open and has not won any title since the 2013 WGC at Firestone.
World number one Rory McIlroy was level through four holes of his second round in quest of his third consecutive major title, which would complete a career Grand Slam.
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Jordan Spieth completed the greatest 36-hole start in Masters history on Friday, firing a six-under par 66 at the Augusta National to match the lowest 36-hole start in any major.
The 21-year-old American reached the clubhouse on 14-under 130 after two rounds, his bogey-free Friday putting him four strokes ahead of compatriot Charley Hoffman, who was still on the course, with four-time major winner Ernie Els of South Africa a distant third, nine strokes adrift after a 72.
Fourth-ranked Spieth broke the prior Masters 36-hole low of 13-under 131 set by Ray Floyd in 1976 and threatened the low 36-hole major total of 130.
"It's cool," said Speith. "Any time you can set a record here is pretty awesome. I'm really excited about how I played today."
Spieth, seeking his first major title after a runner-up Masters debut last year, opened with a 64 on Thursday to become the youngest first-round leader in Masters history, only one stroke off the record low round in the Masters or any major.
"I've been feeling good about the way I've been striking the ball," he added. "I just need to keep my head down and set a goal for myself."
Spieth missed a seven-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole and settled for becoming the fourth player to fire 130 at any major over the first two rounds.
The hottest player in golf over the past month, Spieth won his second US PGA title in March at the Valspar Championship and finished second at the Texas Open and Houston Open in the past two weeks.
Before green jacket fittings start, however, Spieth needs to close out the victory, something he could not do last year after leading on Sunday on the front nine. "It's definitely going to be more challenging," conceded the 21-year-old. "I'm going to have to be more patient, be OK with a bogey here or there."
Spieth pitched from 50 feet to inches from the cup to set up a birdie at the par-5 second, sank an 18-foot birdie putt at the fifth and birdied the par-5 eighth after finding a fairway bunker off the tee, blasting out and landing his approach three feet from the pin.
Spieth made an 18-foot birdie putt at 10 and sank eight-footers for birdie at the par-5 13th and 15th.
"It's very impressive," said Els of Spieth. "It's a long way from being finished. A lot of work to be done still, so we'll see. But he's very impressive."
The Tiger struggles
While 14-time major winner Woods, who has sunk to 111th in the world rankings, was finding modest success in his comeback after a two-month layoff to work on his game, Spieth was dominating as 39-year-old Woods did in younger days.
Woods, three under on the day and two under for the tournament, would remain the youngest Masters champion by about five months even if Spieth wins this year.
Woods has not won a Masters since 2005, has not won a major since the 2008 US Open and has not won any title since the 2013 WGC at Firestone.
World number one Rory McIlroy was level through four holes of his second round in quest of his third consecutive major title, which would complete a career Grand Slam.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.