Jordan Spieth at Tour Championship 2016: Friday Leaderboard Score, Reaction

Jordan Spieth needs a win at the Tour Championship and some help if he wants to snag back-to-back FedEx Cup titles, but he didn't do his already thin chances any favors Friday.   

Following a two-under showing Thursday, Spieth encountered an up-and-down second round at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta that resulted in a score of two-over, which sent his 36-hole total down to even.  

Here's a look at Spieth's completed second-round scorecard: 

Hole	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Hole	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Par	4	3	4	4	4	5	4	4	3
Rd. 2 Score	4	4	4	5	4	5	3	4	3
Overall	-2	-1	-1	E	E	E	-1	-1	-1
Par	4	3	4	4	4	3	4	4	5
Rd. 2 Score	3	3	4	6	4	3	4	4	5
Overall	-2	-2	-2	E	E	E	E	E	E

And here's an overview of the updated leaderboard, which features Dustin Johnson and Kevin Chappell ahead of the pack: 

After Spieth went bogey-double bogey on his first two holes of Thursday's opening round, he figured to be a bit more locked in with ground to be made up. 

However, his front nine started off in rocky fashion once again due to a pair of early slip-ups. 

A bogey on the par-three second dampened Spieth's hopes as he fell to one under for the championship, and another dropped shot on No. 4 sent him tumbling back to even par as Johnson continued his ascent up the leaderboard. 

And while Spieth was briefly in danger of falling out of contention entirely, he clawed his way back into red figures as the front nine came to a close. 

Pars on Nos. 5 and 6 allowed the world No. 4 to settle down a bit, and a birdie on the par-four seventh appeared to spark Spieth as he headed for the turn. 

Another birdie on No. 10 catapulted Spieth back to two under for the tournament, and he held steady at that number despite hitting his tee shot on No. 12 into the fairway bunker. 

Part of the reason he was able to escape was a stellar approach, which came on the heels of a similar shot by his playing partner, Justin Thomas: 

But as it turned out, Spieth couldn't dodge danger for long. 

A day after he conquered the par-four 13th with a birdie to reach red numbers for the first time all tournament, Spieth faltered to the tune of a double bogey that dropped him back to even par with just five holes remaining. 

Spieth had a chance to make up ground on the par-five 18th, but a tee shot that found the left rough dashed hopes that he'd be able to climb back within striking distance on a day when he struggled in all phases, per the PGA Tour on Twitter: 

Following Friday's inconsistent effort, it's safe to say another FedEx Cup title is a pipe dream for Spieth.

Not only would the two-time major champion need to vault to the top of the leaderboard by the conclusion of Sunday's final round, but he'll also need Johnson to finish in a three-way tie for second place or worse. 

But even if Johnson does falter over the weekend, Spieth has too much ground to make up for a FedEx Cup title.