Dustin Johnson turned his overnight share of the US Open lead into sole possession while Tiger Woods is likely to miss the cut.
Johnson missed just two fairways all day as he played himself into solid possession to win a second national championship and break the curse that a winner of the week before can’t do it on this grand stage.
A birdie on his second hole after his approach settled six foot from the cup got the momentum going and added another after a well-played pitch into the 16th, his seventh, as the inclement weather did little to distract him.
Johnson was bunkered going for the green on the first and then saw his putt hit the low side of the hole for what proved to be his lone bogey. That mistake was erased when he saw his 12-footer on the fourth drop as he let out a little fist bump in a sign that he was giving everything in his push away from the field.
The world number one then got the crowd roaring – a rare occasion on this course with high scores again the order of the day – as he drained his putt from across the 7th green before closing with two pars for a 67.
Friday’s late starters know now the monumental size of the task that lies ahead with Johnson four under and the only player under par after he signed his card.
Playing partner Woods closed with two birdies to get to -10 but that looks to be too much to make the weekend.
Woods hit 11 of 14 fairways but only half of the greens in regulation on another day of wild swinging, put into perspective by another big score on the first. On Thursday, it was a triple but today was a double again from the middle of the fairway.
Final member of the group, Justin Thomas, held firm with a level par 70.
Photo: USGA
