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The Loop

Video: Jordan Spieth climbs Baltusrol's leader board with Friday morning 32 (UPDATE: Spieth shoots 67)

July 29, 2016
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Following a historic 2015 campaign that included two major titles and close calls at the other other two, Jordan Spieth's 2016 major season has been marked by disappointment. But it only takes one tournament to completely change that narrative. And we might have just seen the nine holes that are going to make the difference.

After an opening 70 at the 98th PGA Championship, Spieth teed off early Friday morning at Baltusrol and wasted no time carrying over the momentum he had from two late birdies on Thursday. Starting his round on the back nine and in soft, favorable scoring conditions, Spieth birdied three of his first four holes (dropping a shot at the 12th) to move into red numbers.

Spieth, who turned 23 on Wednesday, then took advantage of both of Baltusrol's par 5s, birdieing 17 and 18 to make the turn with a four-under 32. Spieth only hit two fairways on his first nine, but he hit all nine greens and needed only 14 putts. Here's a video recap of first nine:

The fast start moved Spieth to within one shot of Jimmy Walker's overnight lead. After opening with a 65, Walker tees off this afternoon.

UPDATE: Spieth cooled off a bit with a bogey and eight pars on the front nine. Still, his second-round 67 has him in contention heading into the weekend at a major for the first time this year.