Jordan Spieth put on a short game show Friday at Royal Birkdale, he has some breathing room going into the third round if you want to call two shots breathing room.
Spieth is one of only nine players who are under par after 36 holes compared to 39 in red numbers after Thurday’s opening round.
Spieth has someone behind him who may command some attention.
Rory McIlroy continued to fight his way back again during the wind and rain of the second round and he got himself into red numbers after shooting 68.
“It was tough,” McIlroy sighed after he finished. “You had to start it way left or way right and trust the wind is gonna bring it back,” he said of the action on his golf ball during winds that reached up to 40 miles per hour.
After going five-over for his first nine holes, McIlroy played the next 27, including his 18 on Friday in a total of six-under par, best in the field.
McIlroy will tee off in game 36 on Saturday and will play with Gary Woodland.
They will be three groups behind the lead pairing of Spieth and Matt Kuchar.
