Spieth
fires 62, Merritt goes one better to lead
Send a link to a friend
[April 18, 2015]
(Reuters) - Jordan Spieth bounced
back from a Masters hangover by firing a nine-under 62 on Friday, but
fellow American Troy Merritt went one better with a record-tying 61 to
take a four-shot lead at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina.
|
Merritt made seven birdies on the back nine, closing with four in a
row to match the course record round set by South African David
Frost in 1994 for a 36-hole total of 12-under-par 130 at Harbour
Town Golf Links.
"I had my tempo down the stretch, especially with the irons," said
Merritt, sporting a striking blue plaid shirt as he pursued his
first PGA Tour title in his 86th start. "It was fun to see the putts
roll in."
But Merritt, who carded a 28 on the back nine, cautioned he was only
halfway through the tournament.
"I plan to enjoy the moment, hit some good shots, not think about it
too much and just add them up at the end of the day."
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Apr/18/images/ads/current/hicksgas_sda_animate_040215.gif)
Tied for second at eight-under 134 were defending champion Matt
Kuchar (66) and John Merrick (65), with 2013 winner Graeme McDowell
of Northern Ireland (69), 2010 champion Jim Furyk (64) and Kevin
Kisner (67) another shot away on 135.
Climbing into contention earlier in the day was Spieth, who
struggled to a 74 in the opening round after a whirlwind New York
media blitz following his Masters triumph on Sunday.
He improved by a dozen strokes on a warm, wind-free day with nine
birdies in a flawless round at Hilton Head.
"I found something in my ball position on the range and it made a
world of difference," said the 21-year-old Texan, who was six
strokes off the lead.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/ads/current/logan_lanes_lda_030714.png)
"One more night's sleep and just feeling like I had a little
something that I could think about on the course helped me zero in
on targets a little better.
"I didn't want to go home early."
Spieth was in a group of five at six-under 136 that included 2010
British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, who shot a
67.
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York,; Editing by Frank Pingue/Gene
Cherry)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Apr/18/images/ads/current/almh_lda_farm_2015.png) |