Spieth four shots off the pace

AUSTRALIA’S Matt Jones stormed into a threestroke lead with a 3-under-par 68 in the second round of the Australian Open yesterday, as reigning champion Jordan Spieth moved into a share of third despite another frustrating day.

The AmericanWorld No 1 also carded a 68 to stand four shots off the pace set by Jones on 7-under and a stroke behind big-hitting local Todd Sinnott, who was second after scoring a round of 70.

Although conditions were markedly calmer than on Thursday, when temperatures soared and gusts of wind swirled across the fairways at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney, good scores were still at a premium.

Spieth could have really put his stamp on the tournament, therefore, if he had built on the progress he made on the front nine, when he picked up birdies at the first, second and seventh holes.

Another at the 14th sent him to 4-under but a poor chip and a short putt at the next hole saw him drop his first shot of the day, a swipe of the hand in the direction of the offending ball making clear his frustration.

A second bogey at the 16th dropped him deep into the pack again and although he finished with a birdie at the 18th, the 22-yearold was left on 3-under feeling that he had missed an opportunity.

“The crosswinds again made it a guessing game out there today, leaving a 50-50 shot and we got less than 50 percent of them right,” Spieth said.

“It just made it so frustrating as I was striking the ball well and it was a round I could have shot 6- or 7-under par, but I just didn't have any chances.

“So boy, it was a round that could have been (better) and that made it so frustrating as I found myself finally getting into a nice rhythm as I was hitting fairways and giving myself opportunities but I just couldn't quite gauge the wind.” – Reuters