Leishman breaks 36-hole record at Byron Nelson

DALLAS» Wind or no, Marc Leishman likes his chances at the AT&T Byron Nelson after breaking the 36-hole record previously shared by Tiger Woods.

Hometown star Jordan Spieth really wants it to blow.

Leishman followed the best round of his PGA Tour career with a 5-under 66 at the new Trinity Forest course Friday, reaching the halfway point at 15-under 127 for a one-shot lead over 21-year-old rookie Aaron Wise — and keeping Spieth eight back on the links-style layout where the Dallas native is a member.

“This course has got a real Australian feel to it,” said Leishman, the 34-year-old Aussie who opened with a 10-under 61. “Reminds me a lot of home. So that might have something to do with it.”

Winds were stronger on the treeless tract, but not until late in the morning rounds of Leishman and most of the others on the second-round leaderboard.

The wind didn’t bother Wise, who shot a bogey-free 63 in the afternoon. He will be in the final group for the third round two weeks after tying for second while playing with Wells Fargo winner Jason Day on Sunday.

“It makes this course play way different just because of how firm and fast it is,” Wise said. “You’re really out there with the wind.”

Brian Gay, another playing in calmer morning conditions, matched his tour low at 62 to reach 13 under.

“I was telling my caddie it’s never this calm in Dallas three days in a row,” said Gay, who has played every Nelson except one since 2000. “Looks like it might start picking up now.”

That’s what Spieth figures he needs since he’s more familiar with wind and firmer greens on a course named for the 6,000 acres of thick trees surrounding the undulating layout a few miles south of downtown Dallas.

The forecast Saturday has wind gusts reaching 25 mph.

“If the wind really does pick up, which I really hope it does and the course can show some teeth, you’re looking at a potential winning score at under 20 under even though it took 15 for the first two,” Spieth said.