U.S. Open: Dustin Johnson grabs clubhouse lead at U.S. Open
Co-leader Andrew Landry at 4 under but has full 2nd round to play
One year after Dustin Johnson let the U.S. Open slip away from him at Chambers Bay, he drove his way to the top of the leaderboard Friday at Oakmont.
- LEADERBOARD
- Alena Sharp 1 shot off lead at Meijer LPGA Classic
- 5 storylines to follow this week at Oakmont
Immaculate from tee-to-green, Johnson endured a marathon day of 36 holes with a game that makes him look tough to beat. He didn't make a bogey in his opening round of 3-under 67, and he dropped only one shot in his second round of 69 that ended just as the siren sounded to stop play because of darkness.
Johnson finished at 4-under par, two shots ahead of anyone else who completed the second round in the rain-delayed U.S. Open.
More than just his long ball, one of Johnson's greatest assets might be his short memory. He has already squandered chances in four majors, none more crushing than last year when he was a 12-foot eagle putt away from winning and three-putted to finish one shot behind Jordan Spieth.
Asked if he was motivated by Chambers Bay, Johnson deadpanned: "What happened last year?"
New Oakmont record
Meanwhile, Andrew Landry had a much shorter day.
The 28-year-old qualifier had to hit one shot Friday when he returned in the morning to make a 10-foot birdie putt for a final round of 66 and the lead. It was the best opening round in 10 majors at Oakmont, beating a record shared by Ben Hogan and Tom Watson.
Landry also became the first player in 30 years to have the sole lead after his first U.S. Open round.
Three storm delays Thursday left a disjointed schedule and no clear picture of who's in control. The nine players who completed the opening round Thursday had the entire day off Friday.
Johnson went 27 holes without a bogey in a U.S. Open held on its toughest course. Far more impressive was his accuracy.
Johnson missed only three fairways in the second round, and he has missed only five greens through two rounds. If the lead stands after the second round is over, it would match the lowest 36-hole score in a U.S. Open at Oakmont. And he still hasn't made a birdie on a par 5 in two rounds.
"It was a long day [Friday], but I felt like I played really solid all day for all 36 holes," he said. "I drove it really well."
Johnson 'impressive'
Sergio Garcia stayed with Johnson as best he could. He made a tough par on No. 4 by playing his third shot from the fifth fairway. And he finished his round with a 50-foot par save for a 70 to sit at 2-under par.
"I'm too old for this," the 36-year-old Spaniard said. "We know how difficult the U.S. Open is, and here at Oakmont [it's] even tougher."
On the leaderboard, they were one shot behind Lee Westwood, who closed with two birdies in the morning for a 67.
"It was good, one of the best starts I've ever had," he said. "I felt confident out there and hit a lot of good shots. I was shaping it both ways, which you need to do in U.S. Opens to get at a lot of the flags."
Daniel Summerhays, who got into the field as an alternate, had a tournament-best score of 65 in the second round.
For Johnson, it's time to put up his feet and contemplate another run at a major.
"He played awesome," Garcia said. "It's impressive. He drove the ball great, very far. I don't think he missed many fairways at all. Out of 36 holes here at Oakmont with only one bogey, it shows you have to play really, really well.
"He's going to be tough to beat, but I'll give it a shot."