KOHLER, Wisconsin, (Reuters) – Jordan Spieth, looking to carve out another slice of golf history at this week’s PGA Championship, delivered another special performance to move into contention before the second round was suspended late yesterday.
The Masters and U.S. Open champion, bidding to claim his third major title of the year and join an elite club, took advantage of relatively calm morning conditions at a sun-baked Whistling Straits by firing a five-under-par 67.
That left the 22-year-old American ominously placed at six-under 138, just three strokes behind Australians Jason Day and Matt Jones, who were both out on the course when play was called off for the day due to the threat of lightning.
World number five Day, still seeking a first major title after several close calls, had completed 14 holes and Jones 12, before strong winds and heavy rain swept across the course.
“There was (weather) trouble lurking there for a second, and then right around the 15th hole, the horn blew and I was kind of glad that we’re in,” said Day.
“Obviously it’s a mess out there, and so I’m just trying to get some rest tonight and go into tomorrow.”
English world number six Justin Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion, was a stroke back with just one hole remaining.
Swede David Lingmerth, who won his first PGA Tour title at the Memorial Tournament in June, held the clubhouse lead at seven under after carding 70. Also at seven under were Americans Harris English, 15 holes, and Tony Finau, 13.
