Spieth spoils round with a triple

Ryan Moore is in a share of the lead at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA Today

Ryan Moore is in a share of the lead at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA Today

Published Jan 7, 2017

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HAWAII – Ryan Moore and Justin Thomas inspired one another in a low-scoring pairing as they moved one stroke clear of a tightly-bunched leaderboard in the second round of the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Friday.

The two Americans fired matching 6-under-par 67s at the Kapalua Resort on the island of Maui to post 12-under totals of 134 in the PGA Tour's opening event of the year.

Overnight leader Jimmy Walker carded a 70 to sit one shot back, level with fellow American Patrick Reed, who fired a best-of-the-day 65 that was built on a consummate driving display.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth piled up nine birdies, along with a double-bogey at the eighth and a triple at the 17th, en route to a 69 that left him joint 19th in the elite 32-man, winners-only field.

Moore, a five-times winner on the PGA Tour, very nearly holed out with his third from 80 yards at the par-five last before tapping in for a birdie to snatch the outright lead.

Moments later, Thomas rolled in a seven-footer to join him at 12-under.

"We had a good time out there," Thomas told Golf Channel. "We were kind of feeding off each other a little bit."

Moore finished with a flourish, recording four birdies in his last five holes.

"I just made putts, hit a couple of nice wedges that were tap-ins which was nice, but I got the putter rolling on the back side," said the 34-year-old from Washington state.

"I burned a lot of edges (with the putter) yesterday and in the early part of my round today, so it was nice to see them start going in."

Jason Dufner was by himself at 10-under after back-to-back 68s, and Hideki Matsuyama of Japan was another shot back at 9-under after a 68.

Matsuyama, who is seeking his fourth straight win, was one of six players to lead in the second round.

Australia’s World No 1 Jason Day was tied for 11th at 7-under after posting a 69. American Dustin Johnson had the same score after a second-round 70.

Spieth sabotaged his otherwise strong round with a triple bogey after an errant drive on the 17th hole for a 69.

He is seven shots adrift at 5-under.

“I’ll struggle for the next couple of hours getting over 17 kind of throwing me out of the tournament,” Spieth said. – Reuters, AFP

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