Crane swoops into Byron Nelson lead

Ben Crane has taken the spoils to lead after the second round of the Byron Nelson Classic on the PGA Tour.

Ben Crane smiles after finishing the second round

Ben Crane has taken the lead after the second round of the Byron Nelson Classic on the PGA Tour. (AAP)

Hometown favourite Jordan Spieth has drained two lengthy birdie putts to move within one stroke of leader Ben Crane after the second round at the weather-hit Byron Nelson Classic in Texas.

The US Open champion kept errors to a minimum as he followed his opening 64 with a five-under-par 65 at the rain-softened TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving.

He ended the round equal second with Spaniard Sergio Garcia (66) and Americans Brooks Koepka (64) and Bud Cauley (65), while Crane (63) set the halfway pace at 12-under 128.

Spieth, who missed the cut at last week's Players Championship in his first PGA Tour start since his shocking collapse at last month's Masters, was happy to make "limited mistakes" but acknowledged need for improvement.

"Again, I just took advantage of the easier holes," the 22-year-old said. "Had a couple of longer putts go in today and found both the par-fives in two to two-putt and tap in for those two birdies.

"So very limited mistakes. I have three-putted 13 twice and that's really the only mistakes that I have made this week, even not quite feeling like I have my best iron play right now."

Spieth, a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour who is known for his brilliant putting, said he felt much more in control of his game on the green than with an iron in his hand.

"You'd certainly like to feel like you have full control over the ball every time you step over it but that's not reality in golf," the world number two said. "I'd like to have a bit more.

"I don't feel like I am tied for the lead right now, it's not the feeling I have when I stand over an iron shot but when I stand over my putter right now, it's back to where we like to have it."

Crane flew into the lead with eight birdies.

The 40-year-old has been missing in action since he won in Memphis two years ago, a slump he puts down to too much tinkering with his swing.

"As a pro golfer you just want to get better. Changing stuff isn't always the answer," said the five-time PGA Tour winner.


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Source: AAP



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