Brooks leads at SA Open; Spieth surges ahead in Hawaii

The American retained his composure however and finished his day with three birdies and an eagle at the last and afterwards he admitted that he was relieved to have regained some breathing space at the top of the standings.

Jordan Spieth is aware of the scoring record at Kapalua, and that’s what he plans to pursue in the final round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

The first PGA Tour event of the year feels a lot like last year.

“I’m extremely pleased, especially the way we bounced back after that stretch eight through 11”, the Masters and US Open champion said after a round that also included seven birdies. Spieth is chipping in.

With that trio three shots clear of Brandt Snedeker and Fabian Gomez in tied fourth, it looks like being a three-way for the title on the final day.

The Florida State product, who got in this winners-only event with a win previous year in Phoenix, closed the front nine with six consecutive birdies, then added four more on the back side. Two of those birdies were inside 3 feet.

Reed birdied the 549-yard, par-4 17th hole thanks to a laser-like approach shot from 217 yards that parked itself a mere two feet from the cup and was very likely the best shot of the day. He driver again on the 14th, narrowly clearly a bunker and leaving a pitch just short of the green to 3 feet. He’s making nearly no mistakes, and when he does, he’s got the recovery game to save a par anyways. It got hung up just inches above the hazard line, and he chipped up for an easy par.

“Nothing changes for tomorrow”, Spieth said.

His three-under total of 143 left him tied for 21st in the field of 32.

Jordan Spieth was awesome on Friday. He made that for par, and holed a 7-footer for par on the 17th. He shot 67 and was six behind. He shot a 71 and is 10 off the lead.

Scotland’s Russell Knox is the best-placed Brit on two under while Graeme McDowell struck two double bogeys in his two-over-par 75.