But he did, sinking a 2-footer on the final hole to break the former mark of 63 held by several players. The R&A; put the onus on attacking play, moving several tees forward and providing players with hole locations that encouraged aggressive tactics.
“Typically, when I’m walking up to greens, I take out my notes and know where I’ve been”, Spieth said.
“Just play a good round of golf and see where that finishes me, I guess”.
But the Texan added: “Tomorrow will be a day that will be emotionally draining and hard to stay very neutral in the head, but that’s probably the most important thing for me to do”. “I had no idea that 62 was obviously the lowest ever”.
After Kuchar made bogey on the next hole, Spieth had the same two-shot lead he started the day with.
Rounding out the top 10 are Branden Grace and Hideki Matsuyama in fifth place at -4.
McIlroy was three under for his round through six holes, eight shots better than at the same point Thursday when caddie JP Fitzgerald delivered his expletive-laced advice to remember who he was.
Spieth’s two major victories came in 2015 at the U.S. Masters and U.S. Open.
“Kooch is tough because he’s so consistent”, Spieth said.
“I’m in a position where it can be very advantageous, just everything I’ve gone through, the good, the bad, and everything in the middle”, Spieth said.
He finished with another birdie and appreciated the omen that could bring in 24 hours’ time.
“I’ve said all week I’m very comfortable on this golf course. And I needed to”.
Spieth had started the day in a three-way tie for the lead with compatriots Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar and moved out in front with a birdie at the first. On July 21 of that year, Jack Nicklaus won his third major championship, and third different one, at 22 years and six months old, at the Dallas Athletic Club.
“This isn’t quite the Ryder Cup, but it is The Open Championship“, Poulter said trying to keep his adrenaline under control.
“He’s obviously done all the right things to score well, which is what you have to do on windy links”.
“I’m ready to go out there toe to toe with anyone this weekend”. I think that prepared me for today.
Austin Connelly is playing in his first major and only qualified when he won a playoff for the final spot at Royal Cinque Ports.
Matt Kuchar (-4) – Even though he’s not often among the first mentioned when discussing best players without a major win, he certainly fits the mold.
It was the second round this week that Spieth kept bogeys off his card, and this time he really didn’t come close to one. It’s just so comfortable in the US, but for now I feel like the European Tour is the right place for me. He will tote along his 8-for-his-last-9 record when leading after 54 holes, with that Masters the oddball in the bunch.