On No. 10 the 2016 Charles Schwab Challenge champion sank a 28-foot birdie putt to cross over to safety. Then bogeys at No. 13 and 15 had Spieth in need of a birdie on the closing holes. He got it at No. 17, nestling his approach 6 feet from the cup and sinking the putt for a 71 to go to even-par for 36 holes.

Thorbjornsen finished as the runner-up at the John Deere Classic last season in only his third professional start.