Highlights: Jordan Spieth equalizes career fastest lap and shares WMPO lead

After Jordan Spieth made his way through the 36 holes of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, many wondered if he could keep it going over the weekend, where he has generally struggled in recent years.

Spieth’s Response: Matching his career low on the Tour, a 10-under 61 Saturday at TPC Scottsdale that earned him a share of the 54-hole lead with Xander Sc Chaudele.

As with most of the 61s, there were plenty of highlights, as Spieth totaled 10 birdies (a career best), including long putts on No.16 and No.17 among his last six birdies.

Spieth got things done early – literally – by birdieing the third par 5 with a 19-foot birdie at the fourth par 4.

Two holes later, Spieth shot left into the desert – he had hit a few of the home region that day – but moved away about 100 yards inside 1.50 meter to install another birdie.

“I was really lucky on the tee here,” said Spieth. “What a beautiful hold of sand it was. Definitely a bonus to get a birdie there after hitting a provisional ball off the tee.

A 10-foot birdie in the eighth par 4 helped Spieth set up an opening nine of 4 under 31.

“You just have to put a really good rhythm where if he got close to the hole the hole seemed to catch him today,” said Spieth.

Spieth’s nervousness off the tee continued at par 4 10^e, where he again missed the path on the left. But he managed to steal a birdie after taking a dive from the left of the green.

“I was all over that hole and I got a 3,” said Spieth.

At the next hole, the par-4 11^e, Spieth almost looked for the eagle before making a stress-free birdie.

He almost did another eagle at par-5 13^e, getting a good rebound on his second straight desert shot, but he missed a 4-footer and settled for a tap-in birdie.

Spieth’s shot of the day, in his mind, came at par-5 15^e, where he hit his second shot, a hybrid, 265 yards at 25 feet on the island green to set up another birdie.

Then the big birdie putts started falling again. Spieth drained a 36-footer on the famous par 3 16^e, a day after three-put the 8-foot hole.

“I only wish it was last year,” Spieth said. “It was noisy, but last year it would have been another level. Really cool.”

At the next hole, Spieth converted from 9 meters after fanning his drive a little to the right.

A closing par gave Spieth his third round 61 and kept him tied for the lead at 18 under, which is his second best score relative to par after 54 holes on the Tour.