Jordan Spieth is over in Australia, he’s become attached to the Aussie Open.
The fact that Jordy’s been on vacation is pretty apparent after the first 36 holes over in Sydney at the Australian Golf Club.
After unimpressive rounds of 70-71, he’s tied for 19th heading into the weekend.
Spieth’s looking like just another guy in the field and that’s the observation made by Lucas Herbert.
Who the heck is Lucas Herbert? Like thousands of others, he’s an unknown, unheralded player trying to make it in this game.
Herbert happens to be the 36-hole leader at nine-under par.
“I’ve seen Jordan on the range and on the putting green this morning and it’s like, ‘he’s just another guy, he’s not this big thing, this big idol, he’s just another guy out there’. So, I’m obviously trying to feel more like that. Obviously, I’m feeling like I belong out there, which is the big thing.’’
So said Herbert about Spieth. Maybe he hasn’t seen Spieth’s resume and perhaps Herbert’s head was buried in the sand in the Outback last year when Spieth became Champion Golfer Of The Year at the Open Championship.
Just another guy out there? He obviously hasn’t seen Spieth putt at major championships.
Unfortunately Spieth hasn’t impressed many this week, he’s one-under par and eight off Herbert’s lead. But that could change in a heartbeat, Spieth’s been known to string some pretty good weekends together. After all, he is the world’s No. 2.
The immediate threat to Herbert is his countryman — Jason Day.
You’ll recall this has been a fairly non-descript year for Day. He hasn’t won, he’s slipped all the way to 12th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Day’s hungry for a win in his homeland.
Day, made four consecutive birdies during the second rounding starting at the 12th hole, hitting it close three times and then bombing a long one at the par-three 15th hole, by which time he was on top of the leaderboard with Herbert and the crowds were buzzing. He almost chipped in for a fifth birdie in a row at the par-four 16th, but then at the 17th, he inexplicably missed the green long and right with a wedge from the fairway and made bogey.
The former world’s No. 1 said a win this week would validate what has thus far been a disappointing season. “I haven’t won this year,’’ he said. “This would be a nice little end-of-year cap, knowing that it wasn’t a disappointing year. A win is a win regardless of where you play. To have the Stonehaven Cup on the mantle would be great. I know I just don’t want to win one of these; I want to win multiple Stonehaven Cups and Australian Opens.’’
Day’s in perfect position going into the final 36-holes, just a shot behind Herbert and paired with the 21-year old from Victoria who is ranked a lowly 429th in the world.
“I think it’s everyone’s dream to win their home Open, isn’t it?’’ said Herbert. “But, I’m very aware of, especially one player who I’ve got to beat him (Day) first. It’s just the same process going into tomorrow. I know that’s so cliché, but I haven’t even thought ahead to the prize giving ceremony on Sunday yet.’’
In the meantime, Spieth’s eight back. That’s a lot for most people, but this is, after all, Jordan Spieth.
And regardless of what Herbert said, Spieth not just another guy out there.
He’s Jordan Spieth for goodness sakes and yes, he’s been on vacation.
