Johnson holds 1-shot lead on Spieth
Stays on top despite missing birdie chances
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Dustin Johnson has missed nine birdie chances from 10 feet or closer at Liberty National.
He’s hitting it so well that he still leads The Northern Trust Open.
Johnson birdied three of his last six holes Friday, for a 4-under 67 that gave him a one-shot lead over Jordan Spieth (64) going into the weekend.
Johnson has won this FedEx Cup playoffs opener twice at other courses. He was at 12-under 130.
“I’ve got a lot of control with the golf ball and hitting a lot of really nice shots and rolled in a couple putts today which is nice, but still feel like I left quite a few out there,” Johnson said. “I’m in a good position heading into the weekend, and if I can keep swinging the way I am, I think it’s going to be a good weekend.”
Spieth might be finding some form at just the right time. Winless in more than two years, he started the PGA Tour’s postseason at No. 69 in the FedEx Cup with no assurance of staying among the top 70 who advance to next week at Medinah.
He might be one round away from thinking more about winning. Spieth was on the same score (131) that he was going into the weekend last week at the Wyndham Championship, where he followed with a 77 and missed the 54-hole cut. His shots have been tighter, his misses not that severe and he even got some good fortune on his final hole that led to a birdie and a spot in the last group with Johnson.
The opening playoff event had a strong cast of contenders, with Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed two shots behind, and Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy among those another shot back.
McIlroy walked off the par-3 14th with a double bogey because of a two-shot penalty from the bunker. McIlroy went to remove a small stone next to his ball, but realized when he touched it and it disintegrated that it was a clump of wet sand. Later his 70 became a 68 when officials ruled that he had not intentionally tried to improve his lie and wiped out the penalty.
Missing the cut meant the end of the season for at least two dozen players who would not be among the top 70, which includes Bubba Watson and also include Sergio Garcia, who started at No. 65.