Masters 2015 Leaderboard: Live Updates and Storylines to Watch on Saturday
Jordan Spieth is two solid rounds away from winning the 2015 Masters.
The 21-year-old enters the weekend with a sizable five-stroke lead over runner-up Charley Hoffman. Producing a 64 on Thursday and 66 on Friday, Spieth rewrote several lines in the record book, per Golf Central:
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Following two sensational rounds, he's halfway to earning his first green jacket during his second try. When everyone reconvenes at Augusta National on Saturday, all eyes will stay glued on the budding star.
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Jordan Spieth's Record-Setting Pace
A 14-under score gives Spieth the inside track on the crown, which is his to lose sporting such a lofty lead. Yet he knows from past experience to stay focused.
Last year, Spieth shot a 72 during the final round of his Masters debut, falling to Bubba Watson after entering the last day in a stalemate. He has much more wiggle room this time around, but Spieth assured Steve DiMeglio of USA Today he won't start celebrating until he's donning the green jacket:
"As far as history and what happened the last couple days, doesn't mean anything, unless I can close it out. I don't want to go in as the 36-hole best record, but somebody who didn't win. I just need to set a goal for myself, continue to strike the ball the way we have been and try and shoot under par rounds on this weekend.
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Aside from winning, Spieth can etch his name into folklore while positioning himself as golf's next big thing. His starting stretch draws comparison to Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters dominance at the same age, courtesy of Bleacher Report's official Twitter page:
Should Spieth maintain his stellar play on Saturday and Sunday, he'll get labeled this generation's Woods. Even if it's over-reactionary, there's no doubting Spieth's standing as the favorite to finish the job this weekend.
Big Names Holding On
Although neither tops the leaderboard, Woods and Phil Mickelson have golfed well enough to keep monitoring. Entering the weekend, each marquee name sits in striking distance.
Heading into the Masters, Woods was no lock to simply make the cut. As odd as it seems to say about someone who has won 14 majors, he shattered expectations by limboing under par by two strokes.
ESPN Stats & Info hammered home the significance of a seemingly underwhelming score:
A strong finish, or merely avoiding a late meltdown, is pivotal for the 39-year-old to prove he'll ever again make an impact.
After a decent start, Mickelson netted eagles on holes No. 8, 11, 13, 15 and 17. Holding a six-under through two rounds, he quietly soared up to sixth place with a strong finish.
Yet the moat between all of them and Spieth currently relegates them to battling for second place.
Which Rory McIlroy Shows Up?
Through 27 holes, Rory McIlroy submitted a treacherous four-over capsized by a double bogey on Friday's ninth hole. Suddenly the 25-year-old had to worry about making the cut, yet alone claiming his first Masters win.
By the end of the day, he crawled back under par by one stroke, producing an eagle and three birdies during the final five holes. While the four-time major champion dug himself a cavernous hole behind Spieth, he at least avoided catastrophe.
He acknowledged to ESPN's Jason Sobel that he can't afford any more hiccups on Saturday or Sunday:
McIlroy showcased his ability to catch fire on Friday afternoon, so he'd remain a significant threat if not for Spieth's crooked number. He likely must wait another year before breaking his Masters drought, but a slim hope remains alive.
At least the world's top-ranked golfer is still competing.
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