Spieth takes narrow lead over Reed
washington — Jordan Spi- eth fired a one-under par 69 to seize a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Patrick Reed and Troy Merritt after Friday’s second round of the US PGA Travelers Championship.
Sixth-ranked Spieth, the 2015 Masters and US Open champion seeking his 10th tour title, stood on eight-under par 132 after 36 holes at TPC River Highlands near Hartford, Connecticut.
Reed opened and closed with birdies in firing a 66 while Merritt shot 68 to stand on 133 with compatriots Wesley Bryan, Daniel Summerhays, Boo Weekley and Chase Seiffert another stroke adrift.
Spieth birdied the par-4 12th but pulled his tee shot well left at the par-5 13th and took a penalty stroke on the way to a double
I had a double cross off the tee at the par5, made double, but responded nicely Jordan Spieth
bogey. “I was a little tentative to start,” Spieth said. “I had a double cross off the tee at the par-5, made double, but responded nicely.”
Spieth answered with a fourfoot birdie putt at the par-4 15th, then birdied the first and third holes, the latter from 35 feet.
“It was nice to see as many of those putts as possible go in to give me some confidence for the weekend,” Spieth said.
A final stumble for Spieth came at the par-4 fifth, blasting out from a bunker but missing a seven-foot par putt. —