X

Jordan Spieth Among Leaders After Strong 2nd Round at 2018 British Open

Christopher Simpson@@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistJuly 20, 2018

US golfer Jordan Spieth putts on the 4th green during his second round on day 2 of The 147th Open golf Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland on July 20, 2018. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)        (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Jordan Spieth is now tied for 11th place on the leaderboard at the 2018 British Open on Friday as he went round in a four-under 67 at Carnoustie in Scotland.

The defending champion now sits on three-under overall, three shots back on joint leaders Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner.

Spieth picked up five birdies overall, with the only blemish on his card being a bogey at the 16th.

After a breezy morning made life a little difficult for those out first, the wind died down early on in Spieth's round.

Nevertheless, he produced some wild driving throughout the round, often having to pull off some spectacular efforts to turn things around.

Despite missing a birdie putt on the first hole, the American got off to a strong start in a similar vein to his round on Thursday.

He made his first gain with a superb birdie at the third from the rough:

The Open @TheOpen

Pure brilliance from @JordanSpieth #TheOpen https://t.co/VdjR91gTHe

Shortly after, the 24-year-old curled in a putt from 20 feet at the fifth, before he saved par at the seventh hole with another sensational shot:

The Open @TheOpen

. @JordanSpieth showing his class at the 7th to save par. https://t.co/qpzqXJ4BrC #TheOpen https://t.co/FmkWnKMyMz

A wayward tee shot at the par-four 10th left him in the trees, but he still managed to grab his third birdie when he followed it up with a chip that got him to within 10 feet.

He picked up another shot immediately after at the 11th in similar circumstances. After driving into the rough, he found the green with his second effort before holing out from 15 feet.

Spieth's fifth birdie came at the 14th, though he almost pulled off an eagle from more than 20 feet after his putt kissed the right-hand edge of the hole.

Newsweek's Dan Cancian was impressed:

Dan Cancian @dan_cancian

When Jordan Spieth is on it, he really is on it. Fantastic to watch.

Others, such as CBS Sports' Kyle Porter and ByTheMinute Golf, noted the sharp contrast in quality between his long and short game:

Kyle Porter @KylePorterCBS

I find myself saying "how in the world is Jordan Spieth __ under" in my head very, very often.

ByTheMinute Golf @ByTheMinGolf

Sometimes Spieth looks very amateur off the tee and the best in the world with the flat stick. On this occasion he’s miles right into the crowd at 16 ..Work to do

Having fired 48 yards wide right of the green on the 16th, Spieth conceded a bogey there just as he had the day before.

However, he avoided a repeat of Thursday's late collapse to see out his round, which should stand him in good stead heading into the weekend.