Jordan Spieth Surges at 2019 British Open After Shooting 4 Under in Round 2

Jordan Spieth propelled himself into contention at the 2019 British Open on Friday as he shot a four-under 67 at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, in his second round.  

The 25-year-old took full advantage of benign conditions on the front nine as he carded an eagle and three birdies in a four-hole run from the fifth.

The back nine required a great deal more scrapping as Spieth lost his radar off the tee.

But he eventually came home in 35 and was well placed four shots behind leader JB Holmes when he finished his second round. 

Spieth's opening holes were solid if unspectacular as he carded four consecutive pars to remain one under par.

On the fifth, the 2017 Open champion started his surge, draining a 10-foot putt for birdie.

The putter stayed hot on the par-three sixth, holing another 10-footer after a solid drive.

Two superb shots at the par-five seventh then put him pin-high with a chance at eagle. And he produced his best putt of the day to get to five under, his breaking effort finding the middle of the hole: 

By the eighth, Spieth was walking them in. Almost before he struck his 20-foot birdie effort, he was already at six under.

A greenside bunker at the ninth stopped the American's march, and he dropped a shot before the turn after he was only able to get down in three from the sand.

At the 10th, Spieth showed the first signs of waywardness off the tee when he slashed right.

But he scrambled well to save par before walking in another fine putt at the par-five 12th for another birdie.

The final six to home were something of a struggle, and Spieth did well to drop just one shot in that run when he was punished for a bad drive at 14.

He had got up and down from a bunker at the par-three 13th and was forced to do similar at the 15th. 

Spieth's powers of recovery then came to the fore after ragged drives at 16 and 17:

He finally found the fairway again at 18 and had a shot at a closing birdie.

It slid just wide, but after an eventful back nine, Spieth is in contention going into the weekend.