After Jordan Spieth threw his way into containment through 36 holes of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, many were wondering if he could continue on the weekend, where he has typically struggled in recent years.
Spieth’s answer: Tying his career low on the Tour, a 10-under 61 on Saturday at TPC Scottsdale that earned him a part of the 54-hole lead with Xander Schauffele.
As with most 61s, there were many highlights, as Spieth totaled 10 birdies (the best of his career), including long strokes in the Nos. 16 and 17 among his six defense birdies.
Spieth got things going early – literally – following a birdie on the third par 5 hole with a 19 foot birdie on the fourth par 4.
Two holes later, Spieth tugged left into the desert – he hit some in the native area that day – but gave in from about 100 meters to within 5 meters to set up another birdie.
“I was very lucky in the opening shot here,” said Spieth. “What a beautiful wedge of sand that was. Certainly a bonus for taking a birdie there after hitting a temporary ball off the tee. “
A 10-foot birdie in the eighth par 4 helped Spieth to mount a 4-under 31 nine.
“Just putting a really good pace on it, if he got close to the hole, the hole seemed to grab him today,” said Spieth.
Spieth’s obstinacy on the tee continued at par 4 10º, where he lost his way to the left again. But he managed to steal a birdie after cutting the left of the green.
“I was confused in that hole and somehow got a 3,” said Spieth.
In the next hole, par-4 11º, Spieth almost punctured himself for the eagle before making a bird without stress.
He almost made another eagle in par-5 13º, making a big jump on his second shot of the right desert, but he missed a 4 feet and settled for a touch birdie.
The photo of Spieth’s day, in his mind, came in par-5 15º, where he landed his second shot, a hybrid, from 265 to 25 feet on the island’s lawn to prepare another birdie.
Then, the big birdie strokes started to fall again. Spieth drained a 36-foot bar in the famous par-3 16º, the day after three put the 8-foot hole.
“I just wanted it to be last year,” said Spieth. “It was high, but last year it would have been another level. Really cool. “
At the next hole, Spieth converted from 30 feet after shaking his drive a little to the right.
A final pair gave Spieth his third round of 61 and kept him tied in the lead at 18 under, which is his second best score in relation to the pair after 54 holes in the Tour.