Johnson zeros in on top golf ranking
Dustin Johnson is closing in on that elusive victory at the Riviera Country Club and a shot to reach No. 1 in the world. And he still has a long way to go.
Johnson made two tough pars around the turn and poured it on late with three birdies over his last four holes for another 5-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the Genesis Open. It was a good place to be Saturday afternoon, except he was only halfway home at rainy Riviera.
The tournament lost an hour to fog Thursday, then seven hours when heavy rain and wind arrived in southern California on Friday, and two more hours Saturday morning to get the course cleaned up for play.
So what day is it? “Saturday,” Johnson said. “Yeah, I think it’s Saturday.”
He was at 10-under 132 and had a one-shot lead over Pat Perez, who birdied his last two holes for a 66, and Cameron Tringale, whose wedge from 82 yards flew straight into the cup on No. 18 for a birdie and a 64.
Jhonattan Vegas finished his second round well before lunch with four pars for a 68. He was in the group at 7-under 135 along with Patrick Rodgers (67) and PGA Tour rookie J.T. Poston (69).
Graham DeLaet (68) of Weyburn, Sask., and Adam Hadwin (73) of Abbotsford are both at 1-under after the second round. Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor (68) is even, while David Hearn (73) of Brantford, Ont., is 1-over and Mackenzie Hughes (71) of Dundas, Ont., is 5-over. Hearn and Hughes missed the cut.
Johnson was in control of his game and the focus going into a marathon Sunday. He would have to win the Genesis Open and have world No. 1 Jason Day finish out of the top three to go to No. 1 for the first time.