|
 Playing with a steely focus and pinpoint precision, the 21-year-old
Spieth reached the halfway mark on 14-under-par 130 to surpass the
131 posted by Raymond Floyd on his way to winning the 1976 Masters.
"It's cool. Any time you can set a record here is pretty awesome,"
said Spieth. "I'm very excited about today and the way I struck the
ball."
Spieth, with 15 birdies and one bogey in his two rounds, also
equalled the lowest 36-hole total for any major championship.
Spieth led by five over compatriot Charley Hoffman, who registered
five birdies but bogeyed the last for a 68 and nine-under 135 on a
hot, humid day amid the Georgia pines.
Dustin Johnson set another Masters mark as he flew up the
leaderboard with a record three eagles on the par-fives to record a
67 for seven-under 137.
Former U.S. Open winner Justin Rose (70) and fellow Englishman Paul
Casey (68) were also on 137.
One shot farther back was three-times winner Phil Mickelson, who
made four birdies on the back nine for a four-under 68 and a 138
total.
TIGER CLIMBS
Tiger Woods climbed up the leaderboard as the four-time champion
shot a 69 to stand two-under and tied for 19th. He had shared 41st
place after an opening 73 in his return to competition following a
two-month absence.
"I was at a pretty low one in my career, but to basically change an
entire pattern like that and put it together and ... compete in a
major championship like this is something I'm very proud of," he
said.
World number one Rory McIlroy, who needs a Masters victory to
complete a career grand slam, looked as though he might miss the cut
when he went out in four-over 40 to stand three-over.
But the 25-year-old Northern Irishman posted 31 on the back nine for
71 to join Woods on 142.
Two-time champion Ben Crenshaw shot 85 for 32-over 176 in what was
his last round at the Masters. He was given an emotional send-off at
the 18th by fans, family and friends.
The cut was set at two-over-par 146 with 55 advancing to weekend
play.
U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer (151), former world number one Luke
Donald (147), three-times major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland
(149) and twice Masters winner Tom Watson, who shot 81 on Friday,
all missed the cut.
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MASTERS FIT
Spieth, not among the game's longest hitters, served notice last
year that his game was fit for competing at Augusta National as he
finished tied for second.
"What I learned was patience," he said about his 2014 showing. "I'm
not going to get ahead of myself, I'm going to stay in the moment."
The young American began the day with a three-shot lead after a
sizzling first-round 64.
On Friday, he made three birdies in a bogey-free front nine and
matched that on the homeward half as he equalled the widest 36-hole
lead at the Masters.
Other possible Masters milestones loom for Spieth, should he
maintain his Augusta assault.
Woods won his first Masters in 1997 with a record low total of
18-under 270 for a record 12-shot victory margin -- both could be
achievable for the 21-year-old.
One of Woods's Masters records was safe from Spieth, who would be
the second youngest player to wear the green jacket should the Texan
go on to win his first major.
"As far as history and what happened the last couple days, doesn't
mean anything unless I can close it out," said Spieth.
"I don't want to go in as the 36-hole best record, but somebody who
didn't win."
(Editing by Andrew Both/Gene Cherry)
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