HERITAGE NOTEBOOK: Merritt has round to remember with 61

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - Troy Merritt equaled the RBC Heritage tournament record with a 10-under 61 Friday, and moved clear of defending champion Matt Kuchar and John Merrick by four strokes.

David Frost owns the only other 61 at the Heritage, having done so during the second round in 1994.

Merritt's 61 equals the low score on the tour this season: (Ryan Palmer R2/Humana Challenge, Justin Thomas/R2/Sony Open in Hawaii).

Merritt's previous low score on the PGA Tour was 64, set on three occasions and most recently during the second round of the 2015 Sony Open in Hawaii.

His four-stroke lead after 36 holes is the second largest on the tour this season, coming one week after Jordan Spieth led by five at the midway point of this year's Masters Tournament.

Kuchar streak intact

Kuchar keeps a 22-year streak intact, as no defending champion has missed the cut at the RBC Heritage since Davis Love III in 1993. He has now made the cut in all 12 starts this season, with a runner-up finish at the Humana Challenge and a tie for third at the Sony Open in Hawaii as his best finishes.

Second-round Leaders

There have been five second-round leaders/co-leaders that have gone on to win in 22 stroke-play events in 2014-15, most recently Jordan Spieth at the Masters. The last second-round leader/co-leader to go on to win the RBC Heritage was Jim Furyk in 2010.

Blake Adams surges

Blake Adams, who basically has been off the PGA Tour radar because of hip injuries the last couple of years, is making his mark at the RBC Heritage.

Adams, a former standout at Georgia Southern, followed his 1-over 72 on Thursday with a 6-under 65 on Friday and is tied for 12th after two rounds at 5 under.

Starting on the back nine, Adams birdied 10, 11 and 16 before bogeying 17 to come in at 33. A bogey-free front nine was even better, with consecutive birdies at Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7 to come in at 32.

That sets up the Heritage for Adams' best effort of 2015. The 39-year-old Eatonton native, who resides in Nunez near Swainsboro, has missed four of five cuts this year, with his best showing a tie for 58th on March 29 at the Texas Valero Open.

Past Winners

Listed below is a look at how previous RBC Heritage champions have fared in this year's tournament through two rounds.

2014: Matt Kuchar, T2, 8 under

2013: Graeme McDowell, T7, 7 under

2012: Carl Pettersson, T48, 1 under

2011: Brandt Snedeker, T48, 1 under

2010: Jim Furyk, T48, 7 under

2007-08: Boo Weekley, T48, 1 under

2006: Aaron Baddeley, T12, 5 under

2004: Stewart Cink, T12, 5 under

2002: Justin Leonard, cut, 3 over

2000: Stewart Cink, T12, 5 under

1999: Glen Day, cut, 1 over

1979: Tom Watson, T67, even par

Quotes

Tom Watson on Jordan Spieth: "What I see in him is the fire. He has a real fire to get it done. And I like when he gets angry on the course. He gets angry and gets on himself and yells at himself for hitting bad shots. That's what you're supposed to do. And he's had a wonderful run this year."

Merritt on possibly being paired with defending champion Matt Kuchar in the final two rounds: "The only thing I have going for me that Matt doesn't, is my hairline hasn't receded as much as his has. I've played a lot of golf with Kooch. I really enjoy his company. He's a grinder. He doesn't want to lose. Hopefully that will help me rein in my focus and worry about just doing the best that I can."

Jordan Spieth on playing with Matt Kuchar, back-and-forth jabs, and hairlines: "Well, yeah, I know, but it's time to make a comeback. But, Matt, I make fun of him for being old.

"If I give it, I better be able to take it. So Kooch is like that. He's a good guy. We had a lot of fun. "