Dustin Johnson made the most of his jam-packed Friday at Oakmont Country Club, where the big-hitting American finished his first round of 67 and then carded a second round of 69.
The world number six was four-under-par after 36 holes and co-led with Andrew Landry, who was yet to start his second round after bad light forced a suspension in play.
‘It was a long day today, but I felt like I played really solid,’ said Johnson. ‘I drove it really well. Hit a lot of great iron shots. Felt like I rolled the putter really nicely too, so very pleased with how it went today.’
The 31-year-old has three-putted the final hole at Chambers Bay last year to finish second, and was also runner-up at the 2011 Open Championship. He’s had a string of near-misses at the US Open, but has been playing superlative golf this week.
His irons were deadly on Friday and he made just one bogey, which came at the first hole. That par-four has been the toughest hole at a US Opens on three occasions in the last 45 years.
DJ’s dialed in… He would convert on his birdie putt to tie for the lead. #USOpen https://t.co/1jaQRmEwLg
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2016
Johnson is riding a wave of confidence and heads to the weekend in pole position.
‘I’m in pretty good shape, so the physical part’s no problem. But, you know, definitely mentally you’ve got to make sure you stay sharp all day, because you can’t go to sleep on any shot out here,’ he said.
Louis Oosthuizen roared back into the mix by going four-under through 15 holes in his second round. The 2010 Open Champion made four consecutive birdies from the third to the sixth (his back nine) before play was suspended.
He’ll return on Saturday with a chance to go very low, but has done most of the work in playing himself back into the championship.
