Jordan Spieth fired a nine-under 62 to stay close to the lead at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Sungjae Im made a hole-in-one on the 224-yard seventh and then eagled the ninth to shoot 61, sharing the lead at 13 under with Japan’s Kensei Hirata. Spieth recorded six consecutive birdies on the back nine and credited putting for his performance. He said he had driven the ball well this season but struggled with driving during the round, while feeling fluid with his putting and focusing on combining mechanics into a smooth stroke. Spieth was tied for third and was pursuing his first PGA Tour win since 2022.
"Jordan Spieth showed signs that he's closing to regaining the form that made him a three-time Major winner when he fired a nine-under 62 to keep Korea's Sungjae Im in his sights at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson."
"As Im made a hole in one at the 224-yard seventh, their 16th, and then eagled the ninth to shoot 61 and share the lead on 13 under with Japan's Kensei Hirata (65), Spieth made six birdies in a row on the back nine."
""It was putting today," said the former world number one, who was tied for third with Tyler Duncan, Taylor Moore, Zach Bauchou and Chan Kim as he chases his first PGA Tour win since 2022. "I've been driving the ball the best of my life, and I drove it horribly today, like really badly. "But putting was the best. I felt fluid with it. I know what needs to happen, but putting it all together into a fluid stroke and then being able to be outwardly focused has been the goal.""
"Im was thrilled with his day, especially the five iron he holed at the seventh. "I didn't expect it was going to go in, so I was very surprised," he said. "I'm very pleased with today's round. Everything felt solid, from my driver to my putting. And then to have a hole-in-one toward the end was a little unexpected, but obviously very exciting.""
Read at Irish Independent
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