Jordan Spieth Carrying 5 Shot Lead Into the Weekend at Augusta

Spieth set the record for lowest score midway through the tournament, a 14-under 130.

The 21-year-old Texan will play in the last group Saturday with Charley Hoffman, who is at 135.

Some big names climbed up the leaderboard late in the second round Friday, including Dustin Johnson (who had three eagles) and Phil Mickelson.

But they’ve got a lot of work to do.

Johnson is seven shots back at 137, joined by Justin Rose and Paul Casey. Mickelson played the back nine at 4 under for a 68, which gave him a glimmer of hope going to the weekend but still facing a daunting eight-stroke deficit.

History is working against everyone except Spieth.

Herman Keiser in 1946, Jack Nicklaus in 1975 and Raymond Floyd in 1976 all had five-shot leads going to the weekend.

All three went into on to capture the green jacket.

At the moment, Spieth doesn’t have to worry about the world’s top-ranked player.

Rory McIlroy arrived at Augusta trying to complete a career Grand Slam, but it looked like he might miss the cut when he shot 40 on the front side Friday. He battled back after the turn, shooting a brilliant 31 for his second straight 71.

Still, McIlroy was 12 shots off the lead.

"I wish I didn’t need to play a back nine like that to get to 2 under for the tournament," he said. "But I’m really proud of myself the way I fought back. To shoot 5 under on the back nine is a good effort. I need four more nines like that to have a chance."

Farewell, Gentle Ben.

Ben Crenshaw closed out his Masters career with two rounds he would prefer to forget, but a lifetime of memories from his 44 appearances at Augusta National.

Crenshaw, a two-time Masters champion, was greeted by his longtime caddie, Carl Jackson, when he came off the green for the final time after making another bogey at the 18th hole.

Jackson wasn’t in good enough health to carry the clubs for 36 holes, so he turned over the duties to his younger brother Bud, a longtime caddie at Augusta National. But Carl donned the white coveralls, with Crenshaw’s name on the back, and walked slowly on the green to hug the golfer after he tapped out for a 13-over 85.

The 63-year-old Crenshaw finished last in the field with a 176 – 32 over par.

Defending Masters champion Bubba Watson, having just finished his round about a half-hour earlier, was among those who came out to watch Crenshaw close out his playing career. His wife, three daughters, and other family members were also there for the emotional scene.

Dustin Johnson earned his place in Masters lore by becoming the first player to make three eagles in one round.

Johnson scored eagles Friday on three of the par-5s: the second, eighth and 15th holes. He made a birdie on the other, the 13th, which left him with a 5-under 67 and still within reach of the leader, Jordan Spieth.

Johnson is seven strokes behind with a 7-under 137 at the halfway point.