Johnson earns share of U.S. Open lead alongside Landry

Johnson — seeking his maiden major — was forced to play 36 consecutive holes as he joined U.S. Open rookie and surprise co-leader Andrew Landry at four under overall before darkness forced the suspension of day two in Pennsylvania.

Published : Jun 18, 2016 08:59 IST , Oakmont

Dustin Johnson and Andrew Landry are on four-under at the end of Friday's play.
Dustin Johnson and Andrew Landry are on four-under at the end of Friday's play.
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Dustin Johnson and Andrew Landry are on four-under at the end of Friday's play.

It was a long and exhausting day, though ultimately rewarding as Dustin Johnson surged into a share of the lead at the U.S. Open on Friday.

After the abandonment of Thursday's play due to wild weather, which meant half of the 156-man field did not tee off at Oakmont, with last year's runner-up Johnson among those not to hit a ball.

And that meant Johnson — seeking his maiden major — was forced to play 36 consecutive holes as he joined U.S. Open rookie and surprise co-leader Andrew Landry at four under overall before darkness forced the suspension of day two in Pennsylvania.

No stranger to contending for majors — boasting 11 top-10 finishes after heartbreakingly placing second behind Jordan Spieth last year having three-putted the final hole at Chambers Bay — Johnson was on song throughout his two rounds.

Benefiting from the heavy downpour of rain that made the notoriously tricky course somewhat easier to play, Johnson produced the only bogey-free round of the day, posting birdies at the sixth, 11th and 14th holes for a three-under-par 67.

It was the third consecutive time Johnson had ended an opening round of the U.S. Open with a score in the 60s but known for his near-misses, the 31-year-old hardly had time to reflect as he quickly teed off for his second round. 

Johnson continued to roll in the second round, though his bogey-free streak eventually came to a halt at 27 holes, when he dropped the par-four first.

That was the only blemish on Johnson's round as he earned a share of the lead courtesy of his birdie at the sixth hole, before closing out a one-under-par 69.

In complete contrast, Landry barely raised a sweat as he continued to make a name for himself, returning to the course to sink a birdie putt to conclude his opening-round 66 at the ninth hole - his last - and a first-round total record at Oakmont.

And Landry never returned, with the American not due to start his second round until Saturday.

Lee Westwood is in sole possession of third following his first-round 67, a shot behind, with Sergio Garcia (68, 70), Scott Piercy (68, 70) and Shane Lowry (68) a stroke further back.

Bubba Watson did not play a single hole on Friday but the two-time major champion was still within three shots of the lead by the end of the day alongside six others, including Daniel Summerhays, who managed a second-round 65.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth is two over the card heading into the weekend after the conclusion of his first round.

Through 11 holes when play was called off on Thursday, Spieth had a birdie and bogey as he posted a 72. He is three shots better off than World No. 1 Jason Day, who is one under through 15 holes after hitting a first-round 76.

Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, is below the cut line at seven over, with the four-time major winner yet to start his second round.

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