Johnson leads pack after birdie on final hole

Dustin Johnson sank an eightfoot birdie putt on the final hole to take a one-stroke lead over Jordan Spieth during the second round of play at the Northern Trust in New Jersey on Friday.

Johnson shook off an opening bogey to make five birdies as the world No. 2 shot a 4-under par 67 in the afternoon at Liberty National to move to 12-under for the tournament.

Spieth dropped in eight birdies against a single bogey for a sparking 64 in the morning and the early lead, ultimately taking outright possession of second place in the opening event of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (65), overnight leader Troy Merritt (70), Patrick Reed (66) and Spain’s Jon Rahm (68) were tied for third at 10-under on a tight leaderboard.

Another stroke back were Northern Ireland’s world No. 3 Rory McIlroy (68), England world No. 4 Justin Rose (68), South African Louis Oosthuizen (65) and Americans Andrew Putnam (64) and Wyndham Clark (66).

Four of five Canadians in the field made the cut, led by Corey Conners (71) of Listowel, Ont., who sits at 5-under.

Roger Sloan (70) of Merritt, B.C., and Adam Hadwin (71) of Abbotsford, B.C., were a stroke back at 4-under, while Mackenzie Hughes (68) of Dundas, Ont., was at 1-under.

World No. 5 Tiger Woods withdrew from the tournament on Friday morning because of a stiff back.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Mi Jung Hur took advantage of a soft course after heavy rains, shooting a 9-under 62 on Friday to take the lead in the suspended second round at the Ladies Scottish Open in North Berwick, Scotland.

The lone Canadian entry, Alena Sharp (68) of Hamilton, was at 5-under.