If there were any doubts as to whether Jordan Spieth could build on his magical 2015 campaign they are being quickly dispelled as the world number one moved four shots clear after the second round of the Tournament of Champions at The Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii.
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Reed’s playing partner and world number one Jordan Spieth finished one shot behind on seven-under after another blemish-free round, registering seven birdies. And judging by Reed’s scintillating back nine at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, it appears his fine form has carried into the New Year.
He fired six birdies in joining Americans Brandt Snedeker and JB Holmes on six-under 67, two strokes behind leader Patrick Reed. They were in the last group and part of a five-way tie for the lead when Reed smashed a 3-wood from 309 yards that trickled onto the front of the green and let the grain take it 15 feet below the hole.
“I have a ton of confidence, especially after winning here a year ago”, Reed said, via PGATour.com, before his round Thursday.
The reigning player of the year is in search of his first win since he walked away from East Lake with both the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup in September.
They were greeted by benign conditions, with little wind on a course softened by pre-tournament rain.
Reed came out on top at the 2013 Wyndham Championship, and Spieth avenging that defeat at the Valspar Championship last March in a playoff that also included Sean O’Hair.
GAUTENG, South Africa (AP) – Jaco van Zyl shot a 7-under 65 at Glendower to top a South African-dominated leaderboard in the suspended first round of the South African Open.
He added birdies at the seventh and ninth to turn three under the card, going on to mix three birdies with another bogey to total 11-under 135 for two rounds. So he went out Thursday and proved that he ought to be the star attraction by grabbing the first-round lead. South Africa’s Jbe Kruger was 7 under after a 70.
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Fabian Gomez birded four consecutive holes on the front nine as he posted a five-under-par 68. He followed with a pitch to tap-in range on the 14th and 15th holes, and a shot over the gorge to 2 feet on the 17th.
