Johnson to relax after US Open flop

WORLD No 1 Dustin Johnson plans to take some time off with his family as he struggles to digest his US Open flop.

The 32-year-old American star had arrived at Erin Hills brimming with confidence.

But after two wayward rounds and a missed cut, the defending champion was heading home on Friday resigned to watching the climax of the tournament on TV.

“This is the United States Open. It’s a major, it means a lot to me,” Johnson said.

“I’m definitely disappointed I’m not playing the weekend, but there is a lot I can take out of it.

“So I just need to go home, relax a little bit, and I’ll see you at the Open Championship in a month.”

Johnson, who had struggled to a three-over-par 75 in the first round, carded three birdies and four bogeys in a one-over-par 73.

He seemed poised to scrape into the weekend at two under, one over outright, midway through his second round. But three costly bogeys on the back nine left him needing to pick up strokes down the stretch, which proved beyond him.