Johnson struggles in wind at Wells Fargo

Ariya goes one-up on sister at Ochoa Match Play

American Dustin Johnson was metaphorically bruised and battered by brutal windswept conditions at the Wells Fargo Championship on Friday, slipping five strokes from the lead in the weatherdelayed second round in North Carolina.

Four weeks after being literally bruised by a fall that cost him participation in the Masters, the elements went to work on world number one Johnson at Eagle Point in Wilmington.

He dropped two strokes in 13 holes to end the day equal 46th at even par, within sight of the leaders but not completely assured of making the cut, which is likely to fall at one-over when the round is completed early Saturday.

Johnson was among 68 players unable to complete the round after morning thunderstorms delayed the start of play by three hours. Skies cleared but gave way to strong, gusty winds that left most players in survival mode.

Irishman Seamus Power (71) and American Billy Hurley III (69) had the clubhouse lead at five-under 139, while Italian Francesco Molinari (11 holes) and American John Peterson (12) were also five-under, one stroke ahead of a group including Spanish duo Jon Rahm and Rafa Cabrera-Bello.

World number three Ariya Jutanugarn had to go the distance to dispatch her elder sister Moriya 2 up on Friday in the second round of the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Match Play in Mexico City.

Ariya, the 21-year-old seeded first in her bracket, never trailed her 22-year-old sister, but never stretched her lead beyond two holes in their first match play meeting as professionals.

“Today we had fun because we are sisters, and we always have fun anyways,” said Ariya, who carded four birdies to Moriya’s two.