Sunday 27 August 2017 17:27, UK
Jordan Spieth produced a putting masterclass to move into a share of the lead at The Northern Trust following a second round five-under 65.
Spieth, who was among the afternoon starters, made seven birdies at Glen Oaks including five in a row from the 10th through to the 14th - six in all on the back nine in a five-under par 65 to join Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson and Jhonattan Vegas at six-under par.
Spieth had dropped out of the leading group with a bogey at the par three 15th but he responded emphatically with a 40-foot birdie putt at the 16th before closing with successive pars.
Johnson, Fowler and Vegas all moved into the lead during the morning's play - Vegas shot a blemish-free five-under 65, while Fowler carded a 66 and Johnson, who was one shot off the overnight lead, went round in 69.
Matt Kuchar, who was the runner-up behind Spieth at The Open last month, and Bubba Watson finished a stroke back at five-under par in New York.
Kuchar enjoyed a steady opening to his second round, he was two-over for the round and three-over for the tournament through seven holes, but birdied eight of his next 10 holes to post the best round of the day - a six-under 64.
Meanwhile Watson, who started the week in 113th on the FedEx standings and in need of a strong showing, signed for a two-under 68.
Justin Rose carded a second successive two-under 68 to lie two off the lead which is where first round overnight leader Russell Henley, who didn't manage a birdie on Friday, also finished after a two-over 72.
PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas enjoyed an up-and-down second round which saw the American mix six birdies with three bogeys and a double bogey while Rory McIlroy battled to a second round two-under 68 to lie seven shots off the lead at one-over par.
Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who came into the tournament leading the FedEx Cup standings, suffered the an early exit after a one-under 69 left him three-over for the tournament and just outside the cut line.
Watch The Northern Trust throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 6.00pm.
