DUBLIN, Ohio — While former world number ones Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy made erratic starts, long-hitting American Dustin Johnson charged into a one-shot lead at the Memorial Tournament here Thursday.
Taking advantage of pristine conditions with a superb all-round game at leafy Muirfield Village, Johnson racked up 10 birdies and two bogeys in the opening round of the prestigious event hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
Johnson briefly got to nine under with four consecutive birdies on his back nine but he bogeyed the par-four 17th after hitting his second shot into a greenside bunker before posting an eight-under 64, one ahead of compatriot Brendan Steele.
Australian world No. 1 Jason Day was among a group of five players who opened with 66s, second-ranked American Spieth carded a 70 and third-ranked Northern Irishman McIlroy mixed six birdies with three bogeys and a double to return a 71.
Johnson, a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour whose best finish this season was a third place at the Houston Open in April, set the tone with an explosive birdie-birdie-birdie start.
“I just played well right out of the gates,” Johnson, 31, told reporters. “I hit great shots in the right spot on the greens and rolled in some putts.
“This year, I’ve felt like I’m playing well. I just haven’t quite played up to my potential. With me, it has everything to do with the putter. I rolled it well today.”
Ohio-based Day, who clinched his third PGA Tour victory of the season at the Players Championship last month, was delighted to make a good start at a venue where he has struggled in the past.
Spieth, who landed his eighth PGA Tour career win at the Colonial tournament on Sunday, relied on his usually brilliant putting to offset an iffy display with his approach shots.
McIlroy, like Spieth a tournament winner in his most recent start after clinching the European Tour’s Irish Open 11 days ago, salvaged an erratic round with a birdie-birdie finish.
Mixed fortunes for Stenson and Westwood in Sweden
European Ryder Cup stalwarts Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood enjoyed contrasting fortunes in the opening round of the Nordea Masters at the Bro Hof Slott Golf Club Thursday.
Swede Stenson, the world No. 6, was down in a share of 63rd position after carding a level-par 72.
Westwood, however, was one stroke off the lead held by six players after shooting a 68. The Briton, who has won the event three times, mixed six birdies with two bogeys.
“I struck the ball well and I was pretty pleased with my putting,” the former world number one told reporters after a hot day on the outskirts of Stockholm.
“I’ve been looking forward to this tournament for a while because I’ve got a good record here so it’s nice to get off to a strong start and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Fellow Britons Marc Warren, Andrew Johnston and Scott Henry led the way on 67 with Florian Fritsch of Germany and French pair Clement Berardo and Sebastien Gros. — Agencies
