Sydney: Jason Day and Jordan Spieth went in opposite directions on Friday at the Australian Open.
Day had four consecutive birdies on the back nine, including a 30-footer, for a 3-under 68 that left him a stroke out of the second-round lead. Australian Lucas Herbert, who shot 66, is in front with a 9-under total of 133 on The Australian course.
First-round leader Cameron Davis, who shot 72 Friday, is another stroke behind in third.
Defending champion Spieth earlier failed to take advantage of ideal morning scoring conditions and had a 71 to fall further behind the leaders — eight strokes behind Herbert and tied for 19th place with 10 others.
“It was quite tough out there today with the winds,” Day said. “But I played very well and gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies.”
