Spieth is — where else? — in a tie for the lead at the Hero World Challenge
Jordan Spieth may be defending his Hero World Challenge title on a different course than last year, but he’s in a familiar position.
Spieth, who won by 10 shots last year at Isleworth Golf & Country Club, is tied for the lead at the halfway mark at Albany in the Bahamas. At 11-under 133, Spieth shares the top spot on the leaderboard going into Saturday play with Bill Haas and Jimmy Walker.
The 22-year-old world No. 1 is taking a lighter approach this week. With this being his final event of 2015, he’s easing into a vacation that will see him play at Augusta National with sponsor AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson. So far, it seems to be working.
“I’ll just get up, I’ve been getting here an extra half hour early to start my warmup just to make sure I get through enough reps and take my time,” Spieth said after a Friday 6-under 66. “That’s been kind of my practice versus grinding after the rounds like I normally would do. I don’t think it changes.”
Walker isn’t coasting quite like Spieth. Walker is working with coach Butch Harmon on a significant change in his head movement, particularly with the driver, and he’s happy to be seeing success with it so quickly.
“I haven’t driven it like that in a long time,” he said. “What’s cool is it’s been just under a week, but it’s still something I’ve got to think about, it’s still something I have to work on, but it’s fun.”
Haas, who struggled with the Bahamian heat on Friday, is playing well despite having to chug a lot of water.
“You’ve just to tell yourself we’re in the Bahamas, it’s going to be hot and enjoy it,” he said. “I’d rather sweat than be cold anyway.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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