Double Major winning Jordan Spieth admitted he was ‘brainless’ on the greens despite just 27 putts to move to five under par and only four shots from the lead on day two of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney.

The American, who was handed the Stonehaven Trophy in 2014, posted a day two 70 that included five birdies, a bogey but also a 15th hole double bogey.

It left Spieth just four shots behind Australia’s James Nitties who carded a 65 to move one shot clear of the field at nine  under par.

But while Spieth should be delighted to be so close to the lead, and coming off a six-week break since being a member of the victorious Ryder Cup side, he was surprisingly downbeat about his efforts in and around the greens.

“I am in a good position and just a couple back but I need to play better than I have the last two days if I am going to win the championship,” he said.

Jordan Spieth admits he is ‘brainless’ on the greens after two round of the Australian Open.

“I gave myself a lot of chances out there today and I made a six-footer today and other than that, I made nothing outside of three feet and it’s hard shooting a low round with that being the case.

“Then coming into the back nine I made one simple mistake at the 15th and it cost me.

“But really it’s the putter that needs improvement as I am still in this tournament but feeling like I’ve been brainless on the greens.  Normally, that is a strong point of my game but I can take that as confidence as I believe that will be there once the weekend comes around.

“The thing is I haven’t practiced on my putting as in all my preparations for this week I have been working so hard on my swing and not that much on my short game compared to what I would normally do, and it’s certainly shown up in competition after these two rounds.”

Spieth will play the third round in the company of former PGA Tour member, Peter Lonard.