Jordan Spieth was 5-under-par through 17 holes before deciding not to finish the final hole because of rain and darkness, but held a two-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson of Sweden in the Hero World Challenge at Isleworth Country Club in Orlando, Fla.
The 21-year-old Spieth, who had the first round lead with a 66, overcame a double-bogey 6 on the sixth hole with seven birdies, and was barely off the 18th green when he decided to wait until morning to finish because he could not see the hole 30 feet away.
“It would not have been a good idea to finish,” said Spieth, who won the Emirates Australian Open last week. “I had a muddy lie and it would have been a tough chip to get within a few feet of the hole and then a difficult putt.
“I hit some good shots to start the round, but then made a bad decision on No. 6 and it led to a double bogey. I bounced back with a birdie on the next hole, and after the rain the greens were very receptive, so I hit some shots close and got some putts to go in.”
Tournament host Tiger Woods, playing for the first time since the PGA Championship in August because of a back injury, bounced back from a 77 to shoot 70, including an eagle-3 on the 13th hole and a double-bogey 6 on the last–but still was 18th and last in the field.
Woods, who has hit six poor chip shots in 36 holes, said he woke up with a cough and a temperature of 102 degrees.
Stenson followed a 67 with a 68, while Patrick Reed shot 63 playing alongside Woods and was another shot back in a tie for third with Justin Rose of England, who had a 64.
Masters champion Bubba Watson recorded a 68 and was tied for fifth with Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, who had a 70, and Jimmy Walker, who came in at 69.
Defending champion Zach Johnson posted a 71 and was tied for eighth with Keegan Bradley (66), Jason Day (67) of Australia and Chris Kirk (68).
