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Tiger-esque Spieth breaks 36-hole Masters record

Jordan Spieth completed the greatest 36-hole start in Masters history Friday, firing a six-under par 66 at Augusta National which also matched the lowest halfway total in any major. The 21-year-old American stood on 14-under 130 after two rounds, his bogey-free Friday giving him a five-stroke lead over countryman Charley Hoffman that would match another Masters 36-hole record if it stands once play concludes. Fourth-ranked Spieth broke the prior Masters 36-hole low of 13-under 131 set by Ray Floyd in 1976 and threatened the low 36-hole major total of 130.

It’s cool. Any time you can set a record here is pretty awesome. I’m really excited about how I played today.

Jordan Spieth

Spieth missed a seven-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to settle for becoming the fourth player to fire 130 at any major over the first two rounds. The 130 mark was set by England’s Nick Faldo in the 1992 British Open at Muirfield, matched by American Brandt Snedeker in the 2002 British Open at Lytham and equaled last year by Martin Kaymer with back-to-back 65s at the US Open at Pinehurst. The record 36-hole Masters lead of five strokes is shared by Floyd in 1976, Jack Nicklaus in 1975 and Herman Keiser in 1946.