The three leaders 36-hole leaders at The Memorial won’t blow anyone’s socks off but there’s a developing storyline that could.
Jordan Spieth, whose been mired in a two-year slump, is in the thick of it at the halfway mark of Jack’s tournament.
Troy Merritt (69-66), K.H. Lee (68-67) and two-time major champion Martin Kaymer (67-68) are all in at nine-under par.
Right behind them is Spieth at eight-under after a round of 70 on Friday.
“I’m very pleased,” Spieth said after his day’s work. “I’d love two more days like this.”
“It was there for the taking — no wind and soft conditions and they took it,” said tournament host Jack Nicklaus as he looked at some of the low scores posted.
Justin Rose made the biggest move. After opening with 75, he bounced back with a nine-under par 63 and climbed into contention at five-under par.
Adam Scott got in the hunt with a 66 that got him to seven-under along with Rickie Fowler (69-68).
“We’ve got a great leaderboard, should be a great weekend,” Nicklaus observed as he glanced at the contenders.
Tiger Woods will be around for the weekend. Woods had it to four-under through 14 holes but made double-bogey seven at the par five 15th after a great drive that found the middle of the fairway. He finished even-par for the day and at two-under is tied for 33rd.
The list of players who missed the cut looked like a Who’s Who.
A missed two-footer for par at the 16th sent Rory McIlroy (75-71) home early. He finished two-over, missed by a shot.
Jason Day lives in Columbus and is a member at Muirfield Village but he continued his lousy record in the event. He was five-over.
Matt Kuchar (73-74) missed it. Tony Finau (77-74) didn’t come close. Neither did Phil Mickelson (70-79).
Justin Thomas totally fell apart. After an opening 71, J.T. shot 80.
