DeLaet in hunt as Spieth stays atop Travelers

CROMWELL, CONN. Jordan Spieth played well enough in the second round of the Travelers Championship to stay in the lead. Rory McIlroy played just well enough to stay in the tournament.

Spieth shot a 1-under 69 on Friday morning, then watched as a windy afternoon kept anyone from overtaking him.

Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., led briefly during the afternoon, but had a double bogey on 18 for a 70, dropping into a group tied for eighth at 5-under 135.

The conditions kept fourthranked Jason Day from making the cut for a second straight week. He bogeyed the 18th for a 70 to finish at 2 over. No. 3 McIlroy shot a 73, also closing with a bogey, but managed to just sneak into the weekend at even par.

Spieth, who began the day one shot ahead after a first-round 63, started on the back nine. The 23-year-old Texan had to recover from a double bogey on the par-five 13th hole after hitting his tee shot left and out of bounds. He also had four birdies and a bogey to reach 8 under.

Patrick Reed (66) and Troy Merritt (68) were tied for second. Both fought off wind gusts that exceeded 30 kilometres an hour to hit 11 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens.

Qualifier Chase Seiffert is in contention. He made two eagles Friday and finished with a 66 to reach 6 under.

“I came into the week with no status on any tour, but I knew my game was really good,” Seiffert said. “I just had to get it done.”

Three other Canadians — David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., Brad Fritsch of Ottawa and Mackenzie Hughes of Hamilton — were tied for 27th with 3-under 137 scores. Adam Hadwin, of Abbotsford, B.C., was tied for 69th with an even-par 140.

Nick Taylor, also of Abbotsford, missed the cut after shooting 75 for 6-over 146.