In an all too familiar sight, world number one Jordan Spieth sits atop the Tournament of Champions leaderboard after claiming a four-shot lead on Friday. Spieth produced a flawless second-round 64 as he seized control ahead of Kevin Kisner, Fabian Gomez and defending champion Patrick Reed at 16 under in Hawaii.
The 22-year-old two-time major winner was a stroke adrift of Reed prior to teeing off at the Kapalua Resort but he quickly erased that deficit. Spieth - bidding to match Tiger Woods' record for the second most Tour titles won before the age of 23 - did not drop a shot, holing seven birdies and an eagle in a masterful display.
The reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion made back-to-back birdies at the fifth and sixth holes after opening with four pars before he closed the front nine with a chip-in eagle. Spieth added another four birdies after the turn as he strengthened his bid for a seventh Tour crown.
American pair Kisner (65) and Reed (69), and Argentinean Gomez (66), have ground to make up heading into the final two rounds. Danny Lee (68) is outright fifth thanks to consecutive rounds in the 60s to be five shots behind Spieth.
Rickie Fowler and Steven Bowditch are a stroke further back after carding 67s. American trio Peter Malnati (66), Bubba Watson (68) and Brooks Koepka (68) are nine under through 36 holes. World number two Jason Day is almost out of contention following his even-par 73, which left the Australian 13 shots off the lead.
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