The Barclays 2015: Tee times, pairings for Friday’s second round at Plainfield

The FedExCup opened on Thursday with the No. 1 player in the world and the dominant point standings leader posting his worst round of the year. It was startling to see Jordan Spieth throw so many shots away, put a ball in the water, and scuffle all around Plainfield Country Club. Given that he hit 11 of 14 fairways and was 2-under on his front nine, his 4-over 74 was his “worst round in years.”

Spieth sits in a tie for 95th place after 18 holes, so he’ll start his second round on the wrong side of the cut line. If he misses the cut this week at The Barclays, it’s likely he relinquishes his new No. 1 ranking that he just earned at the PGA Championship. Those are the quirks of the imperfect world rankings points system -- Rory McIlroy can regain his top spot without even playing. After his ugly opening round, Spieth admitted openly that he did not like this Plainfield CC setup, and it did not suit his eye. It’s not exactly confidence-inspiring for the next three days, and Friday’s push to make the cut. But he’s had too good a year, and it’s hard to see him posting a similar number in the second round.

Spieth’s playing partners are the Nos. 2 and 3 in the FedExCup standings at the start of the playoffs. As you might expect with that kind of talent, one of them went out early on Thursday and set the pace with a 5-under 65. Bubba Watson missed the cut the last time The Barclays was at Plainfield, and he was another that didn’t love the course. But he made it look pretty easy in his opening round, bombing away and giving himself short irons into many of the greens at this classic Donald Ross design. The 5-under could have been even better and he’ll be the favorite to stay on top of the board. With Bubba, however, it can always come undone quickly, especially on a course that he’s not super comfortable with mentally.

The third member of the group, Jason Day, looked like he would be packing it up early on Thursday morning when he grimaced and flinched in pain multiple times after making contact up on the tee. But despite those early troubles, Day still managed to post a 2-under 68 and said he would be fine. He injured himself Tuesday night moving something under his family’s motorhome and had to withdraw from the pro-am on Wednesday.

Bubba, Day, and Spieth are all safe to play all four events of the postseason so there’s not a major sense of urgency to make a statement at this opening event, but it would still be nice to keep their form to start this month-long stretch of big money games. They will be the marquee group of the day and of the Golf Channel broadcast window, teeing off at 1:06 p.m. ET, less than an hour before GC goes live at 2 p.m.

Here’s the full tee sheet for Friday’s second round:

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