Troy Merritt’s 61 trumps Masters champion Jordan Spieth’s 62

Troy Merritt shot a 10-under 61 on Friday to tie the course record at the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, only a few hours after Masters champion Jordan Spieth wowed the gallery with a bounce-back 62. Merritt matched David Frost’s tournament mark set in 1994 and topped the leaderboard at 12-under 130, four strokes in front of defending champion Matt Kuchar and John Merrick. “Anytime that you match shot for shot with the Masters champ, with the way he’s playing, it’s a pretty good feeling,” said Merritt. Spieth started off the low, low scoring at Harbour Town Golf Links, making nine birdies in a bogey-free round after struggling in an opening 74. The 21-year-old Texan is at 6 under. Merritt had nine birdies over his final 12 holes. – AP