Before Jordan Spieth jets north to Augusta for every golfer’s dream of a “vacation,” the World No. 1 put himself into position to grab one more victory in 2015, tying Jimmy Walker and Bill Haas for the 36-hole lead at the Hero World Challenge.
Playing alongside Brooks Koepka — who jumped out to the early second-round lead thanks to a 5-under stretch over his first seven holes of the day — Spieth bided his time, shooting a solid front nine 34, 2-under par. On the back, Spieth jumpstarted his round on the par-5 11th.
Jordan Spieth leads at the Hero World Challenge. Here’s the eagle at No. 11 that helped him get there. #QuickHits https://t.co/UoA9JCIY5f
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 4, 2015
Spieth would add back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 to get to 11-under par for the tournament.
Walker, the lone member of the threesome of first-round leaders able stay atop the leaderboard, fired a 5-under par 67 to match Spieth’s two-round number. Bill Haas shot a 6-under par 66 to tie Spieth both of the first two days and add his name to the new trio of leaders. Patrick Reed and Chris Kirk both shot course-record tying 7-under par 67s, vaulting them into contention, both just one back.
Also tied for fourth and one-shot back was Bubba Watson. Again, the two-time Masters champ was able to beat a course that he finds too tough, thanks in large part to his creativity and skill around the greens. (Bonus: Spieth was on the call.)
Bubba Watson just pulled off a phenomenal recovery shot while Jordan Spieth was commentating. #QuickHits https://t.co/qt8WBSYnyI
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 4, 2015
Deeper down the board, Dustin Johnson (-7) nearly gave the event its second ace of the week, this time on the par-3 17th.
Dustin Johnson.
#QuickHits https://t.co/ln8Kf05XuL
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 4, 2015
13 of the 18-man field are within six shots of the lead heading to moving day. Tee times on Saturday have been moved up due to the threat of inclement weather.
