ESPN — There are myriad reasons why playing alongside Tiger Woods can cause consternation among even the best golfers. The huge crowds that follow, the hordes of media inside the ropes, the aura of the game's No. 1 player. For years, Woods has been making it tough on his playing companions, not necessarily by design, but by simply being himself. The way Woods typically hits the ball can make others feel inadequate and there can sometimes be a tendency to get caught up in what he is doing. That has hardly been the case for Jordan Spieth, who put on an impressive display in Woods' presence on Friday at the Farmers Insurance Open. Spieth shot a 9-under-par 63 on Torrey Pines' North Course, making nine birdies and no bogeys to vault to the top of the leaderboard through 36 holes. Meanwhile, Woods struggled to a 71, made just two birdies, and for the second straight day failed to go under par on any of the par-5s. To give it some everyman perspective: Spieth could have given Tiger 4 shots a side and come out even. "I wasn't intimidated by any means," said Spieth, 20, who is the reigning PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. "I grew up watching him obviously just like I did with a lot of these veterans out here, so I've idolized him, watched him win majors and whatnot. It was exciting to finally be paired with him."
