Saturday 18 April 2015 17:18, UK
Masters champion Jordan Spieth roared back into contention at the RBC Heritage following a second-round nine-under-par 62 before Troy Merritt's course-record 61 grabbed a healthy overall lead of four shots.
Texan Spieth, 21, bounced back from his opening 74 with nine birdies to sit six under par at the halfway point in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Compatriot Merritt then matched David Frost's tournament mark set in 1994 to top the leaderboard on 12-under, four strokes in front of defending champion Matt Kuchar and John Merrick.
Spieth had started off the low, low scoring at Harbour Town Golf Links, in his bogey-free round after struggling in an opening 74 to sit six shots from the lead at six-under.
Merritt had nine birdies over his final 12 holes, finishing with a five-foot putt on the course's signature lighthouse 18th.
"I had my tempo down the stretch, especially with the irons," said Merritt, sporting a striking blue plaid shirt as he pursued his first PGA Tour title in his 86th start. "It was fun to see the putts roll in.
"I plan to enjoy the moment, hit some good shots, not think about it too much and just add them up at the end of the day."
Kuchar followed his first-round 68 with a 66 while Merrick shot 65 to join his American compatriot on eight-under.
Fellow joint first-round leader Graeme McDowell carded 69 to be one shot further off the pace after his 66 from day one.
Spieth's flawless round revived memories of his Augusta National heroics, when he led after every round to win by four shots.
He said: "I found something in my ball position on the range this morning, and it made a significant difference in my ball striking and in my putting.
"I told (caddie) Michael (Greller) when the day started, 'hey, let's try to get three (strokes) a side'. Let's try to shoot six under today. And once we got a couple extra to go, it was off and running and don't worry about your score; just keep on trying to make birdies."
Joining Texan Spieth in a group at six-under was South African Louis Oosthuizen (67) and Americans Morgan Hoffman (68) and Matt Every (70).
Jim Furyk (64) and Kevin Kissner (67) were tied with McDowall on seven-under for the tartan jacket championship.
Watch the finish of the RBC Heritage on Sky Sports 4 over the weekend starting Saturday evening at 8pm
