Farmers Open day 2: Speith fires 63

January 25, 2014: Jordan Spieth carded a brilliant 63 in second round of Farmers Insurance Open, where world no.1 Tiger Woods is nine shots behind the leader.

The twenty-year-old missed the cut here last year , which was his first official tournament as a professional golfer. He had missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open after shooting 72-73 in his first two rounds, 12 shots behind leader (and eventual winner) Tiger Woods.

This could be apt story of reversal of fate.

[highlight]I’ve spent a lot of time with him(Tiger Woods). That definitely helped. He’s easy to play with, he talks to us. I just played my game. I wasn’t looking at the scores, said Speith [/highlight]

This time after two rounds, playing with Woods, Spieth finds himself 10 under, nine shots clear of the seven-time champ after a birdie-filled second-round 63.

Spieth made four birdies on his front nine (the back nine on the north course) and followed that up with five more on the back. Earlier on Thursday, he shot a 1-under 71 at the south course, but it was still impressive.

When asked why he scored so well on Friday, Spieth told Golf Channel the answer was pretty simple.

“I putted a lot better. I was more stable over the ball,” said Spieth.

He also hit greens — 17 of 18 in regulation in fact, according to Justin Ray of ESPN. Here’s a sampling:

He also said he was undaunted playing with current world No. 1 Woods (who could only post a 1-under 71).

“I’ve spent a lot of time with him. That definitely helped. He’s easy to play with, he talks to us. I just played my game. I wasn’t looking at the scores,” said Spieth.

Everybody says this, of course, but with Spieth and the way he talks and the way he carries himself, well, you actually kind of believe it.

Spieth led by one over Stewart Cink after the dust settled on Friday and with that lead will be gunning for PGA Tour win No. 2 this weekend. This isn’t the John Deere Classic, though, this is a big-boy tournament and everybody knows it.

Spieth was asked about his chances to win shortly after he completed his 63, he was realistic but confident.

“The south course is a different animal than that north course. I want to play it like I did yesterday. It’s a US Open type venue,” said Spieth.