Masters champion Jordan Spieth shot 3-under-par 67 and shared the lead with Patrick Reed, who had a 69, after two rounds of the 115th U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash.
The 21-year-old Spieth was unhappy with himself for making a bogey on the seventh hole and managing only a par on par-5 eighth before refocusing and hitting his tee shot to within six feet for a closing birdie at the par-3 ninth.
“It’s definitely something I’ve improved on,” Spieth said of his bounce back. “I don’t know if it’s my trademark, but it’s something that maybe a few years ago may have gotten to me a little bit more leading up to that tee shot (at No. 9).
“But my patience and realization that this golf course is going to test your nerve and it’s how you rebound from it … certainly kicked in there.”
Reed, 24, who has won four times in the last two seasons but is seeking his first major victory, carded four bogeys on the back nine but also had two birdies and holed a 25-foot eagle putt on the 12th hole. He had sole possession of the lead until a three-putt bogey at No. 18.
Dustin Johnson, who shared the first-round lead at 65, bogied three of the last five holes to finish at 71 and was one stroke back in a tie for third with Branden Grace of South Africa, who was tied for the lead until making a bogey on the 18th hole to complete a 67.
Daniel Summerhays was tied for the lead until making a double-bogey 6 on No. 7 while finishing on the front nine but shot 67 and was another shot back in a tie for fifth with Tony Finau, who had a 68, Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, who totaled 69, and Ben Martin, who came in at 70.
Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe and USC posted a 68 and was another stroke behind in a tie for ninth with J.B. Holmes, who had a 66, and Jason Day of Australia, who collapsed on his final hole because of vertigo but was able to finish off a 70.
Phil Mickelson, seeking his first U.S. Open title to complete the Career Grand Slam, struggled to a 74 and was tied for 35th, top-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland had a second 72 and was tied for 44th, while Tiger Woods followed his opening 80 with a 76 and missed the cut by a whopping 11 strokes.
