Just like in the last major, Dustin Johnson finds himself on top of the leaderboard in the 97th PGA Championship.
It seems like a broken record for Dustin Johnson, but he can’t help it.
After the completion of the first round, he has the overnight lead at -6. Johnson’s round consisted of one eagle, five birdies, and a bogey to give him a Thursday score of 66.
.@djohnsonPGA has the early lead of the #PGAChamp. This eagle sure didn’t hurt… https://t.co/cuFJknVxn7
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 13, 2015
If he wanted to send an early message to his critics about the course still being in his head from his unfortunate outcome in 2010, Johnson silenced them. Instead of writing that the lingering loss haunted him as he walked the grounds of Whistling Straits, the on-lookers are singing his praise of conquering his demons.
But, we have seen this before with Johnson in the lead. Just last month, he had the lead at the Open Championship after the first round. In June, Johnson shared the first round lead with Henrik Stenson at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.
If he can duplicate his second round mastery as he has in the previous two Majors, Johnson should be setup for success. However, that is the question: will Johnson be able to get the job done?
As of now, it’s two days away with the second round still coming up. But, if history repeats himself, he should have no problem tomorrow.
His playing partner Jason Day did not do so bad himself. Day is two back, after shooting 68. His round consisted of one eagle, three birdies, and a bogey.
Happy to start with a 68. Patience was key. DJ was belting it out there but stayed in touch. 1 down, 3 to go.
— Jason Day (@JDayGolf) August 13, 2015
For those wondering about Jordan Spieth, it was a very pedestrian round for the favorite to win this week. Through his first ten hole, he found nothing but pars. However, he was able to finish Thursday with in the red numbers with -1. His scorecard registered two birdies and a bogey, all on the back nine of the course.
.@JordanSpieth‘s first birdie of the day was a beauty. #SapphireOnLocation #PGAChamp http://t.co/LNGyF4oH2s
— PGA.COM (@PGA_com) August 13, 2015
Spieth is five shots back of Johnson to start the second round.
The world number one in golf, Rory McIlroy, finished with the same score as Spieth. His round was a little more up and down compared to his rival’s.
Immediately, he opened with a bogey. But, McIlroy followed up with a birdie on the next hole, to get him back to even par.
After four straight pars, he bogeyed the eight hole. However, he followed up his hiccup with a birdie and made the turn at an even par 36.
He made two birdies to get him within four of the lead. Unfortunately, McIlroy ended his Thursday just like he began it: with a bogey.
One good thing about his round is that he birdied three of the four Par Five’s.
But the true highlight of his round, and perhaps the first round of the tournament, was this par save at the 5th hole, after hitting his second shot to a somehow, playable lie in the water.
Rory McIlroy hit it in the water at No. 5, which didn’t stop him from hitting this shot. #QuickHits http://t.co/wrEKZW0391
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 13, 2015
Yeah, that’s why Rory McIlroy is number one!
Tomorrow’s second round television coverage will begin 2:00 pm EST on TNT. Mcilroy and Spieth will tee off in the morning, along with 2015 Open champion Zach Johnson. The pairing of Johnson, day and Rickie Fowler will tee off in the afternoon and will be the marquee group in the afternoon.
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