Spieth recovers after “dumbest hole”
After an earlier error left him fuming, Jordan Spieth recovered to post a solid 67 in the second round of the US Open.
The 21-year-old Masters champion finished the day on five under par midway through the second day at Chambers Bay, good enough for a share of the lead with overnight leaders Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson – neither of whom had teed off yet.
Spieth started like a house on fire, birdying four of his first eight holes to reach six under par and take the sole lead.
Reaching the 18th – his ninth, the Texan hit the lip of a bunker with his second shot and found more sand with his third shot, eventually carding a double-bogey six.
Spieth was heard on television berating himself for the “dumbest hole I’ve ever played in my life” after his second shot, but he soon regained his composure, bouncing right back with a birdie at the first before a bogey at the seventh was cancelled out by a pinpoint iron into the short ninth for a closing two – and a share of the clubhouse lead.
Spieth is looking to become just the sixth man in history after Craig Wood, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to win the Masters and US Open in the same year – and only the first player since Gene Sarazen in 1922 to win multiple majors aged 21 or younger.
Also doing well in the early running was South African Branden Grace, who briefly held the outright lead but had to settle for a 67 and a four under par total after a closing bogey.
Ben Martin also found himself on a share of the lead on five under par before bogeys at 17 and 18 dropped him back down.
Jason Day was on two under par after a 70. The Australian collapsed to the ground during his second round, apparently suffering from an attack of vertigo.
The incident happened on the ninth, his final hole.
After being attended to by paramedics, he was heard on television saying that the incident was related to “vertigo I’ve had for a while”.
Former World No 1 Tiger Woods, meanwhile, followed up his first-round 80 with a 76. That left him second to last in the field and certain to miss the cut.
Latest
-
European Tour‘Is this where I am going to die?’ Nicolas Colsaerts on kidney disorder battle
The Belgian is the focus of attention this week as he belatedly defends the Cazoo Open de France title he won three years ago.
-
Ryder CupOn this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe team
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
LIV GolfOpen champion Cameron Smith wins first LIV trophy in just second start
The world number two is the highest-ranked player to join the rebel series.
-
European TourRobert MacIntyre beats Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off to win Italian Open
MacIntyre birdied the first extra hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open
Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai are one shot off the pace.
-
European TourRory McIlroy picks up the pace to claim lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in Rome
McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick leads way at Italian Open despite ‘inconsistent’ display
The US Open champion held a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tom Lewis,
-
European TourRory McIlroy rues a late night until eagle gets him flying in Italian Open
The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.
-
European TourRory McIlroy begins Italian Open with superb 67 after recovering from slow start
He kick-started his round by holing out from 115 yards for an eagle on the par-four third.
-
European TourShane Lowry: Golf risks alienating fans with disgusting amount of money involved
The BMW PGA Championship winner insists he was never tempted to join LIV Golf.