The Masters: Rich Beem aims to match Jordan Spieth putting brilliance on the Zen Green
Friday 6 April 2018 15:44, UK
After Jordan Spieth rekindled his putting prowess to take the opening round lead at the Masters, Rich Beem tried to replicate his excellence on the greens.
The 22-year-old carded a six-under 66, which included five consecutive birdies on his back nine, at Augusta National to open up a two-shot lead over Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau.
Spieth, who captured his first major title in 2015, made a strong start in his bid for a second Green Jacket with Beem charged with some testing left-to-right putts on the Zen Green.
"His ball striking has been so much better than it has been in years gone past. We were expecting the putter to just start cooperating better sooner rather than later," Beem said.
"Unfortunately it has been a bit later but today was the day it finally came through.
"He just had a nice day of golf out there where he had a couple of opportunities to maybe let it go with a couple of missed greens but once he got into making birdies, he started feeling it and things started flowing for him.
"All of a sudden the Jordan Spieth of old became the Jordan Spieth of current."
Watch the video above to see how Beem fared with the putter on the Zen Green…
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