Johnson claims narrow advantage
Zach Johnson claimed a one-stroke lead after shooting a 67 in the first round of the Northwestern World Challenge on Thursday.
A two-time runner-up at the Tiger Woods-hosted event, Johnson carded seven birdies to claim a narrow advantage over Matt Kuchar (68).
Two strokes behind Kuchar after rounds of 70 are Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson in a share for third, while Woods was another stroke further behind on one-under – the final player to card a round below par.
“There’s some tough pins out there,” Woods admitted after his round.
“You miss them on the wrong spots, you’re going to pay the price, and I think that’s kind of what’s signified in the scoring. No one is running away with it. Nobody went low today.
“I made a few mistakes.
“Obviously the very first hole I missed a little short one, and I missed a short one at 18.
“But I had a couple good ones on the back nine today end up in some very interesting spots. The golf course is kind of set up that way now.”
Johnson was pleased with his efforts, but rued the bogey he carded on the par-four 18th when he hit a wayward drive off the tee.
“I did everything decent,” he said.
“I wedged it really good. Any time I had a wedge in my hand, I seemed to be hitting my lines and my yardages. I putted it great. Just a real solid day all around.”
Graeme McDowell, the defending champion who also lifted the title in 2010, carded an even par 72 whilst playing with compatriot Rory McIlroy, who had to settle for a 73.
McIlroy won his first tournament of the year at the Australian Open last week, but failed to carry on that momentum and dropped shots on five occasions during his round round at Sherwood Country Club.
“The course hasn’t been this tough in a couple years,” McDowell admitted
“The greens are much firmer. The speed of them caught me by surprise a little bit today. My speed was a little clumsy and it showed today on the greens.”
Latest
-
European TourCollin Morikawa wins Race to Dubai as Rory McIlroy’s frustrations boil over
The Northern Irishman appeared to rip his shirt open in the recording area behind the 18th green.
-
NewsTiger Woods shares footage of him hitting balls as rehab continues
Woods was injured in a car accident in February.
-
-
European TourRory McIlroy takes one-shot lead into final round in Dubai after shooting a 67
England’s Sam Horsfield is just a shot off the lead, one ahead of Scot Robert MacIntyre.
-
European TourDouble bogey on final hole sees Rory McIlroy slip shot off the pace in Dubai
The round one leader is a shot behind Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, England’s Sam Horsfield and American John Catlin.
-
European TourI’m on the right path – Rory McIlroy excited about road to next majors challenge
McIlroy is now a combined 148 under par in the £6.6million season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourOpen champion Collin Morikawa determined to take chances in Race to Dubai bid
Morikawa had the chance to top the Order of Merit by winning last year’s DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourRory McIlroy unlikely to change schedule despite new-look European Tour
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 season but Florida-based McIlroy will continue to focus on the PGA Tour.
-
European TourPunter’s pointers at the DP World Tour Championship: Course and desert specialists to the fore
It’s the final week of the 2021 European Tour season and the best 50 players of the season are convening at Jumeirah’s Earth Course.
-
European TourJB Hansen wins AVIV Dubai Championship to claim second European Tour title
The Dane finished a shot clear of Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.