Teen prodigy Jordan Spieth, trying to become the youngest US PGA Tour winner in 82 years, fired a five-under par 66 on Friday to share the lead in the second round of the storm-halted National.
The 19-year-old American, a former world amateur number one who turned professional last December, matched countryman Roberto Castro for the lead, both at seven-under 135 through 36 holes at Congressional Country Club.
“Felt like a really solid round,” Spieth said. “I’m excited for what the weekend is going to bring.”
Jason Day is the leading Australian with a tie of 46th after a carding a second round 73 to be at one-over 143 over the opening two rounds.
Compatriots Adam Scott, Matt Jones, John Senden and Stuart Appleby are all a shot further back and likely to make the cut.
Spieth, who turns 20 on July 27, would become the fourth-youngest winner on the all-time US tour list and the youngest US tour champion since 1931, with Ralph Guldahl three months younger when he won that year’s Santa Monica Open.
“It would be huge,” Spieth said. “I can’t really think about that at this point. It’s only halfway through so there’s a long way to go.”
There were 64 players yet to finish the second round when a series of afternoon thunderstorms ended play for the day, the top contender among them being Argentina’s Andres Romero at five-under overall with five holes to play.
The second round will resume Saturday morning with plans to complete the third round Saturday afternoon.
South Korean rookie Lee Dong-Hwan, last year’s PGA Qualifying Tournament winner who is fighting to keep his tour spot at 129th on the money list with $US364,830 ($A394,923.14), also charged into the hunt, firing a 66 to stand third on 137.
“To be playing this well on a course all the players say is tough, I’m just very happy. I couldn’t ask for more,” Lee said. “My goal is to retain my card and I’m fairly confident that I’ll be able to gain my card back for next year.”
Spieth has earned special temporary tour membership for the remainder of the season after winning $US919,079 ($A994,889.59), all but clinching a 2014 tour berth. Four top-10 efforts in 13 starts this year include a runner-up finish at Puerto Rico.
A victory would bring instant PGA membership, including a berth in this year’s playoffs, and a tour spot for two years.
“It has been a great dream come true this year,” Spieth said. “I’m just free swinging. I can’t be in the playoffs unless I win and that makes winning the number one goal… I don’t have to worry about making x number of dollars.”
Spieth sank a 25-foot birdie putt on the first and birdied four of the last five holes on the front side, including back-to-back birdies at the par-4 fifth and par-5 sixth and par-4 eighth and par-5 ninth, then parred the back nine.
“I felt the nerves, just like anybody does trying to win for the first time when you see yourself in the lead,” he said.
