Johnson claims clubhouse lead
Dustin Johnson carded a five-under-par 66 to claim a one stroke lead of the Northern Trust Open before play was halted at the PGA Tour event on Thursday.
The American was one of the first players on course in conditions ideal for low scoring and claimed the early lead in front of a big group of 10 players all on four-under.
Another player – JB Holmes – was also on four-under but he was still on course, along with 14 other players, when darkness stopped play for the day.
In fact, Holmes was one of four players to take the early lead before dropping back into the pack later in his round.
He made his sixth birdie of the day on the 13th, but then bogeyed the 16th to drop down to four-under before play was halted with him on the 17th.
The 10 players who completed rounds of 67 are Robert Garrigus, Francesco Molinari, Scott Stallings, Charley Hoffman, Matt Jones, Brian Harman, Blake Adams, Jimmy Walker, Sang-Moon Bae and Charlie Beljan.
Walker, who won at Pebble Beach last week, birdied his last three holes to join the chasing pack.
Starting on the back nine, Johnson birdied 17, 18 and one before dropping a shot at four – the only blemish on his round. He responded by making another birdie on the eighth to claim the early lead.
“I just got off to a good start and just continued to play really solid all day,” said Johnson after his round.
“I kept it in play, and hit a lot of greens, had a lot of looks at birdie.
“The game’s right where I want it to be.
“Any score under par out here is a pretty solid round. It’s a tough course, but it’s right in front of you, so it’s just a golf course that I really like.”
Garrigus, on the other hand, had a day of rare success on a course he struggled with previously – a tie for 51st his best finish in four previous starts there.
“I just stopped telling myself that I hated this place,” said Garrigus after his round.
“I convinced myself this is my favorite golf course of the year and I tell you what, this is the best shape I’ve ever seen it.”
Other notable players in the clubhouse includes Jim Furyk and Ricky Fowler – both on three-under – while Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood are another stroke further behind after rounds of 69.
Latest
-
NewsSteve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.