Kelly: Spieth’s record-setting rounds are a performance of the ages

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Jordan Spieth bunkered his first shot at the 8th hole on Friday. He recovered and landed his approach within inches of the pin. He turned what seemed like a sure bogey six into a birdie four.

After his third shot, one of Spieth's playing partners, Billy Horschel, said to him, "Man, that was good. Even for you."

After his third shot, one of Spieth's playing partners, Billy Horschel, said to him, "Man, that was good. Even for you."

Like Horschel, we are all in the midst of watching the 21-year-old from Texas reconfigure what golf looks like when played at the highest possible level.

Following Friday's second round at Augusta National, Spieth's 36-hole 130 (14 strokes under par) is the best score at this course in competition. The previous mark (131) was set by Raymond Floyd 38 years ago. Floyd won that Masters by eight strokes.

He's so far ahead of the pack, that were the cut done on a within-10-shots basis, only four men would be competing on Saturday. As it is, he'll go out in a pairing with journeyman Charley Hoffman, who sits five back at minus nine.

Hoffman has won three tournaments in 21 years. Spieth has won three in the past six months. You don't want to curse anyone, but the 2015 Masters feels like it's over with two days still remaining.

In the midst of his robotic precision, Spieth showed one real moment of indecision. At 18, he narrowly missed a birdie putt. He began shaking his head in disbelief. He charged up to the ball, took an awkward stance (so as to stay out of Henrik Stenson's line), but gave up on the lengthy tap-in at the last instant. He stalked back to the edge of the green, muttering.

Was he upset with himself?

"I think 'upset' may be the wrong word," Spieth said. " 'Surprised' is a better word. I wasn't trying to make a statement or reach a certain point. I didn't know what any of these scores meant in history."

As he trailed toward the end of the answer, he whispered, "I was surprised I did step off, though."

He's human, but maybe only just.

Over two days, Spieth has already reframed the conversation about the current state of golf. Winning is one thing, but winning this way is a conversion process. If things turn out as they should, Spieth immediately becomes the sport's biggest global star.

He appears keenly aware of how much his life has already changed. The only thing he seems anxious about is not being viewed as big-headed.

When addressing the question of experience and its value, he cited past champions Tiger Woods (who won here at 21) and Seve Ballesteros (who had just turned 23).

"Obviously, I am not comparing myself to those guys in any way," Spieth said. If he isn't, we will. He might end up better.

If he'd taken fewer risks, Spieth would now be a senior at the University of Texas. He turned pro in 2013 and has been steadily gaining altitude since.

There is no real hook to his back story. He's an upper-middle-class kid from Dallas. His parents were both accomplished collegiate athletes. He dates his high school sweetheart. This is generic stuff.

What seems to make him special is a refreshingly detached perspective on the person he is and the brand he's becoming.

"Me speaking about humility is very difficult, because that wouldn't be humility," Spieth said a month ago. It's a line that should be taped up in locker rooms everywhere.

He knows what's expected now. With respect to Hoffman and the others, this weekend at Augusta is going to play like a triumphal procession.

Jordan Spieth is on the cusp of going from an anonymous pro to one of the most recognized faces in sport. It's going to have happened over the course of 96 hours. With most people, you'd worry.

But there is something about this young man that makes you believe that however good he is at golf, he's better at life.