Spieth cuts it close at John Deere Classic; Streelman just barely survives

SILVIS, Ill. – Friday’s cut day at the John Deere Classic wasn’t pretty, but it produced some popular results.

Jordan Spieth, a playoff champion at TPC Deere Run twice before skipping the Illinois’ only annual PGA stop the previous nine years, was below the projected cut line with six holes remaining in his second round. He made birdies at Nos. 14 and 17 to finish the first 36 holes at 6-under-par 136, meaning he’ll play in the two weekend rounds.

Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman was in more serious jeopardy but made three birdies in the last three holes to survive on the number at 5-under 137. Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim (-6) and defending champion Sepp Straka (-5) also are still alive, though far behind co-leaders C.T. Pan of Taiwan and Aaron Rai of England. They’re at 8-under 128 after posting 65s on Friday.

Spieth, reflecting on his dramatic wins in 2013 and 2015, thought he was getting into contention.

“I could start attacking by getting some birdies early,’’ he said. ”Then I just messed up 11 and 12. All of a sudden I was behind the cut line. Unfortunately I’ve been in that position far too often this year, and it’s very frustrating and annoying.’’

Hayden Springer, the unheralded PGA Tour rookie who exploded for a 59 in the opening round Thursday, was tied with Pan and Rai after 11 holes. Then he endured a four-hole stretch of bogey-bogey-birdie-double bogey and settled for a par 71. He’s in a six-way tie for fourth, two shots behind the leaders.

Pan lost his veteran caddie recently when 76-year old Mike “Fluff’’ Cowan opted to return to Jim Furyk’s bag. Pan called that ”unfortunate.’’

“They’ve had a great partnership, and Fluff always wanted to finish his career with Jim,’’ Pan said. ”This week I have Ben Hulka caddying for me. We worked together for a year or two. He’s been good.’’

What wasn’t so good was some “conversation’’ that Pan had with the Taiwan Olympic committee Thursday night. Pan won the bronze medal in the 2020 Olympics and will be in this year’s competition in Paris later this summer.

“I had terrible sleep,’’ Pan said. ”We had a really serious conversation, just trying to figure out all the arrangements before I go there. It didn’t go well. I can tell you that.’’

Rai shook off a late collapse in last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, where he tied for second.

“I was really pleased with that,’’ he said. ”From the whole of last week there were so many more positives than negatives. I was able to reset and start well obviously this week.’’

The longest of long shots heading into the second half of the tournament is amateur Luke Clanton. The Florida State product made the cut at the U.S. Open and was 10th last week in Detroit. He played on a sponsor’s exemption there and also has one at the JDC. His 63-67 start put him in the six-way tie for fourth after the first half of the tournament.