Defending champion Spieth toils as roaring Rory McIlroy closes Masters gap on day two

Defending champion Jordan Spieth clung to a one-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy after Friday’s second round of the Masters, setting up a showcase third-round pairing of history-seeking golf superstars.

Spieth, trying to become only the fourth back-to-back Masters winner, sank a 14-foot par putt at Augusta National’s 18th hole to stay ahead of McIlroy, who would become only the sixth player to complete a career grand slam by capturing the green jacket.

Ill winds gusted across Augusta National, the breezy conditions playing havoc with the world’s most skilled shotmakers, who largely scrambled to contain the damage.

“I’m really happy with the round and how I grinded and battled out there,” McIlroy said. “And I’m going to have to do that again tomorrow because it’s going to be windy out there again.”

Spieth struggled to a two-over 74, bogeys at the par-3 16th and 17th stripping a lead that had once been five shots to one with the 22-year-old American on four-under 140.

“It was a mental test. It was a battle,” Spieth said. “Still leading. Can’t complain about that.”

Spieth is trying to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only players to win the Masters two years in a row.