Spieth, Reed joint leaders
TACOMA—Ryder Cup teammates Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth charged up the leaderboard, but the American assault on Friday didn’t include Tiger Woods who crashed out of the US Open.
The two Texas natives were co-leaders after 36 holes at the $10 million tournament at the 7,695 foot Chambers Bay golf course, the longest in major championship history.
The 24-year-old Reed had a 69 for a five-under total of 135, joining reigning Masters champion Spieth, 21, who had a fine 67.
Overnight co-leader Dustin Johnson was one stroke adrift with a 71 as he was tied with South Africa’s Branden Grace (67) who was the only non-American in the top four.
At 137 were US trio Tony Finau (68), Daniel Summerhays (67) and Ben Martin (70) and the Netherlands’ Joost Luiten (69).
The two young Americans Spieth and Reed formed a successful Ryder Cup pairing against the Europeans at Gleneagles, Scotland, in late September.
World No. 2 Spieth is once again proving he can shine on the biggest stage as he surged up the leaderboard by making birdies on three of four holes beginning at No. 14.
There was some drama on the final hole for Spieth’s threesome when playing partner Jason Day, of Australia, collapsed on the side of the fairway after suffering a bout of vertigo. Day, who shot a 70, expects to be well enough to resume his tournament on Saturday.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and six-time US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson both punched their tickets into the weekend.
McIlroy was making no progress from the two over mark he started the day on until he eagled the par-four 12th. But he took a double-bogey at the par-three 17th and settled for a second straight 72 and a four-over total.
Woods wasn’t so lucky as he had the door slammed shut behind him Friday after a 76 and a 156 total. Mickelson fired a 74 to keep his bid for a career grand slam alive. AFP
