Tuesday 12 January 2016 10:12, UK
World No 1 Jordan Spieth has taken a four-shot halfway lead at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii after a sensational second round of 64.
Spieth began the day a stroke behind Patrick Reed but surged to the top of the leaderboard with a nine-under-par round at Kapalua which featured seven birdies and an eagle.
He has reached 16-under-par for the tournament and holds a handy advantage over a three-strong group at 12-under which includes Reed, his fellow American Kevin Kisner, and Fabian Gomez of Argentina.
Spieth has yet to make a bogey in the tournament and, having kicked his second round into top gear with birdies at five, six and eight, chipped in from 36 feet at the par-five ninth.
The 22-year-old went on to make three birdies in a row from the 13th and finished in style when his 13-foot birdie putt at 18 hung theatrically on the lip for a fraction of a second before dropping into the cup.
"It was a similar round to yesterday," said Spieth. "It is nice to have no blemishes on the card.
"I want to start the year with a bang, but I'm only through 36 holes, there's a long way to go.
"Sixteen under will be difficult to duplicate. For me it comes down to no bogeys. If I can keep them down, then there are enough easy holes to get a good score."
Among the chasing pack, Reed had a 69 while Kisner and Gomez made good progress up the leaderboard with rounds of 65 and 66 respectively.
And New Zealand's Danny Lee is alone in fifth place after a 68 took him to 11-under.
Big name American duo Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson are in the hunt, although they will need to play well this weekend to catch Spieth.
Fowler had six birdies in a 67 that took him to 10-under and Watson is in a group a shot further back after a 68.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington also carded a 68 to reach eight-under, Scotland's Russell Knox (72) is tied in 21st on three-under and Graeme McDowell (70) is two shots further back.
Australia's Jason Day, who was in glorious form last season, when his five wins included the PGA Championship, dropped three shots in his last two holes to shoot a 73 and fall back to three under.
Watch third-round action from the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii live on Sky Sports 4 from 9pm on Saturday night, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.
