HILTON HEAD ISLAND — Jordan Spieth bounced back from a Masters hangover by firing a nine-under 62 Friday, but fellow American Troy Merritt went one better with a record-tying 61 to take a four-shot lead at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina. Merritt made seven birdies on the back nine, closing with four in a row to match the course record round set by South African David Frost in 1994 for a 36-hole total of 12-under-par 130 at Harbour Town Golf Links. “I had my tempo down the stretch, especially with the irons,” said Merritt, sporting a striking blue plaid shirt as he pursued his first PGA Tour title in his 86th start. “It was fun to see the putts roll in.” But Merritt, who carded a 28 on the back nine, cautioned he was only halfway through the tournament. “I plan to enjoy the moment, hit some good shots, not think about it too much and just add them up at the end of the day.” Tied for second at eight-under 134 were defending champion Matt Kuchar (66) and John Merrick (65), with 2013 winner Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (69), 2010 champion Jim Furyk (64) and Kevin Kisner (67) another shot away on 135. Climbing into contention earlier in the day was Spieth, who struggled to a 74 in the opening round after a whirlwind New York media blitz following his Masters triumph Sunday. He improved by a dozen strokes on a warm, wind-free day with nine birdies in a flawless round at Hilton Head. “I found something in my ball position on the range and it made a world of difference,” said the 21-year-old Texan, who was six strokes off the lead. “One more night's sleep and just feeling like I had a little something that I could think about on the course helped me zero in on targets a little better. “I didn't want to go home early.” Spieth was in a group of five at six-under 136 that included 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, who shot a 67. Kim Sei-young in solo lead South Korean LPGA rookie Kim Sei-young defied gusty winds to fire a two-under par 70 Friday to move into the solo lead at the LOTTE Championship. Kim, who notched her first LPGA victory in just her second start as a tour member at the Pure Silk-Bahamas this season, had shared the overnight lead with compatriot Kim In-kyung. But a round that included five birdies and three bogeys on Friday saw her edge ahead by one stroke with a 12-under par total of 204. Kim In-kyung had four birdies and three bogeys in her one-under 71 for 205. It was a further stroke back to world number three Park In-bee, who signed for a three-under 69. Two more South Koreans occupied fourth and fifth, Jenny Shin posting a two-under 70 for 208 and Chella Choi signing for a 71 for 209. Defending champion Michelle Wie was eight adrift after a one-over 73, part of a group of six players on four-under 212. Kim Sei-Young admitted that she was more comfortable chasing the lead, and she said she'd try not to put any extra pressure on herself Saturday. All of the top three players talked about the difficult windy conditions. — Agencies
