September 26, 2015: Henrik Stenson kept steady through an incessant drizzle to build up a three shot advantage at the halfway stage of Tour Championship in Atlanta. Jordan Spieth found a timely 66 to get within strike of the leader, setting up a thrilling chase for the weekend.
Stenson was far from his best, misfiring repeatedly from the tee box, but he managed to keep the situation under control. He got much better through the later part of the round to sign off with a 2-under 68.
“I didn’t feel like it was my best day, but I managed to keep it together and 2 under around here is never bad,” Stenson said.
Spieth has been rock solid this week – bleeding just a lone bogey in his two rounds in Atlanta. Yesterday, he made consecutive par saves at the fifth and sixth holes – an effort that had spectators crooning over his brilliance and the underlying determination. In the end they proved nearly as precious as the four birdies that flew out of his bag on Friday.
Neither the tree at the fifth nor the sand around the sixth could force Spieth to bleed a shot as he played remarkably well to save himself under duress.
“It was huge,” Spieth said about the par saves. “I thought I may have to re-tee, and I was just kind of all over the place at that time. And that third shot I hit on 5, I mean, one of 10, maybe. There was no other option, but it wasn’t necessarily smart. And I had to have the wind blowing this branch back and forth, I had to hit it when it blew it this way or else it would have gone up into it.”
The last of his birdies came at the 18th and he nailed it in from 20 feet, ensuring that he goes out to play with Stenson on Saturday. Spieth’s 66 might turn out pivotal as the week progresses.
Paul Casey was playing with Stenson on Friday, but found sand at the 18th and settled for a bogey to slip into the penultimate group for the third round. Zach Johnson, shot 70, just as Casey did. He birdied three of his last four holes to end the second day at 4-under 136.
Jason Day realised a big dream of his when he became the No. 1 player in the world. Perhaps that has led to his losing some steam. He appeared flat for a second day running, shooting just a 71. He is languishing nine shots off the pace.
The attention seems to be back on Spieth, who is all but certain to be named the player of the year. “He’s one of the best players in the world as we know, and had a fantastic year behind him,” Stenson said of Spieth.
“So he’s going to be a very tough contender throughout these last two days. He was good already back then, but he’s certainly not any less good now. We know that much. Once again, I’ve got to focus on my game and bring my game and keep my head down and foot down and press on if I want to leave the guys behind me.”
