Augusta, United States: Defending champion Jordan Spieth clung to a one-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy after Friday’s second round of the Masters, setting up a showcase third-round pairing of history-seeking golf superstars.
Spieth, trying to become only the fourth back-to-back Masters winner, sank a 14-foot par putt at Augusta National’s 18th hole to stay ahead of McIlroy, who would become only the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam by capturing the green jacket.
Ill winds gusted across Augusta National, the breezy conditions playing havoc with the world’s most skilled shotmakers, who largely scrambled to contain the damage.
“I’m really happy with the round and how I grinded and battled out there,” McIlroy said. “And I’m going to have to do that again tomorrow because it’s going to be windy out there again.”
Spieth struggled to a two-over 74, bogeys at the par-3 16th and 17th stripping a lead that had once been five shots to one with the 22-year-old American on four-under 140.
“It was a mental test. It was a battle,” Spieth said. “Still leading. Can’t complain about that.”
Spieth is trying to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only players to win the Masters two years in a row.
“It’s almost a different tournament now,” Spieth said. “Tomorrow is going to be more difficult given the same winds and crustier greens.”
Four-time major champion McIlroy shot 71, with birdies at the par-5 13th and 15th and par-3 16th charging him to 141 while rivals faded.
“It was very difficult,” McIlroy said. “It was very hard to select a club.”
McIlroy hopes to join the select list that have taken all four major titles at least once — Woods, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.
It was the first Masters round since the third in 2007 without a round in the 60s.
But it resulted in world number two Spieth and third-ranked McIlroy — who have combined to win four of the last six majors — playing together in Saturday’s last group and sure to draw the largest crowd.
“Add a lot of excitement and buzz and atmosphere,” McIlroy said. “But at the same time, I just need to focus on myself.”
Added Spieth: “I don’t think either one of us is focused on each other. I think we’re focused on the golf course.”
— AFP
Collated second round scores in the Masters at par-72 Augusta National on Friday:
140 — Jordan Spieth (USA) 66-74
141 — Rory McIlroy (NIR) 70-71
142 — Scott Piercy (USA) 70-72, Danny Lee (NZL) 68-74
143 — Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-72, Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 69-74, Brandt Snedeker (USA) 71-72
144 — Dustin Johnson (USA) 73-71, Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 72-72, Daniel Berger (USA) 73-71, Sergio Garcma (ESP) 69-75, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 72-72, Danny Willett (ENG) 70-74, Shane Lowry (IRL) 68-76
145 — Chris Wood (ENG) 72-73, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 73-72, Jason Day (AUS) 72-73, Bernhard Langer (GER) 72-73, J.B. Holmes (USA) 72-73, Brooks Koepka (USA) 73-72, Troy Merritt (USA) 74-71, Smylie Kaufman (USA) 73-72
146 — Kevin Streelman (USA) 71-75, Kevin Na (USA) 72-74, Davis Love III (USA) 73-73, Jimmy Walker (USA) 71-75, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 71-75, Angel Cabrera (ARG) 73-73, Lee Westwood (ENG) 71-75, Paul Casey (ENG) 69-77, Justin Rose (ENG) 69-77, Jamie Donaldson (WAL) 74-72
147 — Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 71-76, Ian Poulter (ENG) 69-78, Cameron Smith (AUS) 74-73, Rafael Cabrera (ESP) 74-73, Romain Langasque (FRA) 74-73, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 72-75, Billy Horschel (USA) 70-77, Keegan Bradley (USA) 74-73, Harris English (USA) 74-73
148 — Charley Hoffman (USA) 71-77, Hunter Mahan (USA) 73-75, Matt Kuchar (USA) 75-73, Adam Scott (AUS) 76-72, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-76
149 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 72-77, Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 73-76, Martin Kaymer (GER) 74-75, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 76-73, Bill Haas (USA) 75-74, Kevin Kisner (USA) 77-72, Webb Simpson (USA) 77-72, Larry Mize (USA) 76-73, Justin Thomas (USA) 76-73, Patrick Reed (USA) 76-73
150 — Bubba Watson (USA) 75-75
Cut:
151 — Phil Mickelson (USA) 72-79, Vaughn Taylor (USA) 74-77, An Byeong-Hun (KOR) 77-74, Trevor Immelman (RSA) 77-74, Marc Leishman (AUS) 74-77
152 — Branden Grace (RSA) 75-77, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 76-76, David Lingmerth (SWE) 79-73, Tom Watson (USA) 74-78, Zach Johnson (USA) 72-80, Russell Knox (SCO) 79-73
153 — Graeme McDowell (NIR) 72-81, Jason Dufner (USA) 76-77, Chris Kirk (USA) 76-77, Rickie Fowler (USA) 80-73, Jim Herman (USA) 75-78, Derek Bard (USA) 76-77, Ernie Els (RSA) 80-73, Vijay Singh (FIJ) 80-73
154 — Mike Weir (CAN) 76-78
155 — Ryan Moore (USA) 80-75
156 — Sammy Schmitz (USA) 81-75, Robert Streb (USA) 81-75
157 — Mark O’Meara (USA) 77-80, Jin Cheng (CHN) 79-78, Fabian Gsmez (ARG) 77-80, Andy Sullivan (ENG) 80-77, Sandy Lyle (SCO) 76-81
160 — Darren Clarke (NIR) 76-84
161 — Steven Bowditch (AUS) 79-82
163 — Ian Woosnam (WAL) 82-81
165 — Paul Chaplet (CRC) 83-82
