Spieth breaks record

AUGUSTA, Georgia—Jordan Spieth stepped up for one last putt, nothing more than a tap-in really.

Suddenly, he backed away.

This one was important. It meant history.

After taking his time, Spieth knocked in a short par putt on the 18th hole Friday to claim the 36-hole scoring record at the Masters, breaking a mark that has stood for nearly four decades. Raymond Floyd reached the midway point of the 1976 Masters with a 131 on the way to an eight-stroke victory.

Spieth did him one better, posting a 14-under 130 that has included 15 birdies and only one bogey through the first two days.

“That’s really cool,” said Spieth, who shot a 6-under 66 on the heels of an opening 64. “It’s cool anytime when you set a record, but to do it here is pretty awesome.”

The 21-year-old Texan was blowing away everyone in the field except Charley Hoffman, and even he faced a rather daunting five-shot deficit after shooting 68.

Normally, Hoffman’s 135 at the midway point would be good enough for the lead.

Not the way Spieth was playing.

“I feel really good this week,” the leader said. “I’m not very nervous.”

Spieth gave a glimpse of his enormous potential a year ago at Augusta, leading on the final day with a chance to become the youngest champion in Masters history. He faded down the stretch, settling for the runner-up spot behind Bubba Watson but leaving no doubt that golf had a budding new star.

Spieth arrived this year on top of his game, having won, finished second, and lost in a playoff in his last three events before the Masters.

THE LEADERS: Jordan Spieth, 64-66—130; Charley Hoffman, 67-68—135; Justin Rose, 67-70—137; Dustin Johnson 70-67—137; Paul Casey, 69-68—137; Phil Mickelson, 70-68—138; Ernie Els 67-72—139; Kevin Na, 74-66—140; Kevin Streelman, 70-70—140; Bill Haas, 69-71—140; Ryan Moore, 74-66—140; Angel Cabrera, 72-69—141; Louis Oosthuizen, 72-69—141; Mark O’Meara, 73-68—141; Jason Day, 67-74—141; Adam Scott, 72-69—141; Hideki Matsuyama, 71-70—141; Charl Schwartzel, 71-70—141; Tiger Woods, 73-69—142; Sergio Garcia, 68-74—142; Danny Willett, 71-71—142; Russ Henley, 68-74—142; Jonas  Blixt, 72-70—142; Patrick Reed, 70-72—142; Bubba Watson 71-71—142; Rory McIlroy, 71-71—142.