Johnson surges into joint lead at Texas Open
LOS ANGELES: Former British Open champ Zach Johnson played his way into a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Texas Open, reeling off four straight birdies en route to a seven-under 65.
The 42-year-old has a history at this event, having won back-toback titles in 2008 and 2009, the first two times he competed in it.
“I felt really good coming into the week,” said Johnson, who also won the 2007 Masters crown. “I hit solid shots.
Under cloudy, windy conditions in San Antonio on Friday, he rolled in six birdies and an eagle to tie for the lead at nine-under 135 with fellow American Ryan Moore, who fired a five-under 67. They will be in the final group in Saturday’s third round.
They are one stroke ahead of Andrew Landry and Grayson Murray, who shot 67 and 69, respectively.
Ben Crane (66), Martin Laird of Scotland (65) and Canada’s David Hearn (68) are tied for fifth at six-under, three shots adrift of the leaders.
Both Johnson’s win here came on a different course, Lacantera Golf Club, but the TPC San Antonio suits him just fine.
He is one of just four winners in tournament history, dating to 1922, to successfully defend the title, joining Bill Mehlhorn 192829, Arnold Palmer 1960-62 and Justin Leonard 2000-01.
“I am not afraid of the wind,” Johnson said. “I played well and relished in the wind -- what do you call it The Open Championship or some of those other tournaments I played in. It doesn’t matter. It is hard for everybody if there is wind.”
MORIYA LEADS IN LA
Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, who is seeking her first win on the USLPGA Tour, fired a bogey-free five-under 66 to take a one stroke lead after the second round of the LA Open.
Moriya started quickly on the back nine on Friday with two birdies in her first four holes of the round at the Wilshire Country Club course to reach a total of eight-under 134.
“I just tried to hit fairways and greens. That’s the key for this week. That’s what I try to do,” the former LPGA rookie of the year Moriya said.
American Marina Alex is alone in second after shooting a 68 for a seven-under total while two time major winner Ryu So-yeon is in the hunt two shots back of Moriya after a 65.
Seven time major champion Park In-bee is tied for fourth with South Korean compatriot Ji Eunhee at five-under 137.
Ko Jin-young shot a 67 and is alone in sixth as five of the top six players are from South Korea to the delight of the galleries this week because Los Angeles is home to a huge South Korean expat community.
Moriya, who also has a sister Ariya on the Tour, rocketed to the top of the leaderboard with a burst of three straight birdies on her back nine.
This is just the second time in her career Moriya has held the 36-hole lead. The first was last season at the Evian Championship, where she finished just one stroke away from making a playoff between Anna Nordqvist and Brittany Altomare.