Golfer extends lead, Spieth charges into second

Swede Henrik Stenson held firm at rain-soaked East Lake Golf Club, while Jordan Spieth made a charge to stand three strokes back after Friday's second round at the season-ending Tour Championship.

Stenson, who won the event wire-to-wire in 2013, made it six rounds in a row holding the lead at Bobby Jones' old stomping grounds near downtown Atlanta as he built on his two-shot overnight lead with a two-under 68 for a nine-under 131 total.

"So, a two-shot lead yesterday and a three-shot lead now after two rounds. Whenever you can maintain it or extend it is always a good thing," said Stenson, who fired a 63 in the opening round.

Masters and U.S. Open winner Spieth posted a bogey-free 66, the low round of the day, firmly rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt at the last to reach six-under-par 134.

Englishman Paul Casey bogeyed the last for a 70 to slip back to five under par, where he began the day in second place.

"Around the greens, I feel comfortable on Bermuda (grass)," said 22-year-old Spieth, who missed nine greens but did not register a bogey. "This is exactly the stuff I grew up on. It's as comfortable as I feel all year. I love the greens here."

Another stroke back was British Open champion Zach Johnson, who lost five shots to par in five holes from the ninth but recovered with three birdies in the last four holes for a level-par 70 that put him at four-under 136.

Four-times major winner Rory McIlroy (71) and Australian Steven Bowditch (69) stood six strokes behind Stenson at three-under, while world number one Jason Day shot 71 for level-par 140.