BROOKLINE, Mass. — Jordan Spieth considered withdrawing for the first time in his career this week, with his legs feeling like Jell-O and on the point of puking.

"I wasn't playing well," he admitted in the parking lot after cutting the U.S. Open on Friday, a significant accomplishment given his start to the tournament.

"I'd never been in that circumstance before, and I was starting to feel a bit better, so I figured I'd just stick with it and see how it goes." "Hopefully, it will only get better with each passing day."

Indeed, Spieth has had an exciting week. He had hoped to add a second U.S. Open trophy to his collection but felt ill late Tuesday night after watching a Boston Red Sox game.

Spieth came early Wednesday morning at the course, primarily to meet the on-site doctor. He put for about 15 minutes, struck a couple of balls, and feared he would pass out. He was prescribed an anti-nausea prescription.

"I was like, wow, I'm dizzy and about to throw up," he stated after he swung the 52-degree," he said.

Spieth walked off the course, sick to his stomach and angry at his misfortune. He'd put in an excellent week of practice at home and was looking forward to taking on Brookline, a course that seemed to be a good fit for his style.

Spieth managed to get a quick warmup before his 7:29 tee time on Thursday morning. He bogeyed three of the first four holes despite being in a good position in the fairway and was unwell.

"I was simply incredibly fatigued and weak," he explained, "and it's hard to play the U.S. Open like that."

Spieth played one under the rest of the way after feeling better on the turn, finishing with a respectable 2-over 72. He felt considerably better by Friday afternoon, registering for a 70 that guaranteed him a weekend tee time. He's seven shots behind the leader.

"This is the one tournament where no matter where you finish after two rounds, you're still in it," he remarked.

Spieth says he picked up a 48-hour stomach sickness at the worst possible time when traveling alone this week. This was his version of the Jordan flu game in golf's most challenging test.

"Yeah," he said, "but for every Jordan flu game they pull off, there are a hundred where people play like s—t." I'd rather be somewhere else.

"I was dead in my bed," he admitted.

A high temperature is seen. Chills. There has been no sleep.