By Christian Red
New York Daily News
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — While Tiger Woods got mauled at Shinnecock Hills for a second straight day, Dustin Johnson played as if he’s preparing to make room in the hardware case for a second U.S. Open trophy.
A day after battling 25-mph winds, Johnson and Woods had to slog through miserable, chilly rain conditions early Friday morning. The difference was that Woods did not follow through with his goal of shooting in the 60s to get back into contention — and missing the cut as a result — while Johnson kept his cool and shot a second-round 67 to put him at 4-under after two rounds.
Johnson has sole possession of the lead after some of golf’s biggest names joined Woods for an early exit out of Southampton.
“Got off to a nice start. Hit some really good shots early in the round, and then the little bit of rain came in, got a little cooler, and the golf ball wasn’t going very far,” said Johnson, who made four birdies against one bogey Friday. “You know, the course played very tough. I think we played six or seven holes in it. But, you know, kind of hung in there and made some good saves for sure.”
The Woods-Johnson-Justin Thomas pairing teed off just after 8 a.m. from the No. 10 hole. The lanky, 33-year-old Johnson made par on 10, then carded his first birdie on the par-3 No. 11. He made his second birdie of the day on the par-5 16th, right in the midst of 10-mph wind and driving rain.
Woods, a three-time U.S. Open champion, finished at 10-over after two rounds on the 7,402-yard, par-70 course and again put much of the blame on his putting.
“It was tough out there early. Wind was blowing. It was raining a little bit, and I was kind of hanging in there until, unfortunately, first and second hole kind of derailed it,” said Woods, after making four birdies, four bogeys and one double-bogey Friday.
The par-4 No. 1 hole was the only blemish on Johnson’s second round, as he missed a 12-foot putt for par and settled for bogey. Woods, however, will probably be happy to say good riddance to the No. 1 hole after he made a double-bogey Friday to go with his triple-bogey there in the first round.
There were plenty of cheers for both Johnson and Woods from the gallery throughout their round, and Johnson said afterward that he appreciated the Long Island love he’s received the first two days. The 2016 Open champ added that Woods’ struggles and the corresponding crowd reaction didn’t prove to be a distraction.
“The fans out there are great. I love the fans up here. They always give me a lot of support, and so it was a lot of fun out there,” Johnson said. “I enjoy playing with (Woods). It’s a lot better than playing in front of him or behind him.”
Johnson won his only major at Oakmont near Pittsburgh two years ago. But he also came close to winning the 2015 Open at Chambers Bay until he muffed two putts on 18 — the first for the win, and the second to tie and force a playoff. Jordan Spieth won his second major as a result. Perhaps one of the intangibles that plays in Johnson’s favor this weekend is the cool demeanor he exhibits, even when a club betrays him or he shoots poorly.
“I don’t get too angry. You know, for me, I hit bad shots all the time. It’s not like — why am I going to get upset about a bad shot I hit? I do it every day when I play. So you just got to go find it and hit it again,” said Johnson. “We’re trying to set an example for kids and for everyone else. So no matter how mad I get, I’m probably not going to show you, and I’m definitely not going to throw a club.”
But he may throw a party come Sunday if he’s the last man standing at Shinnecock.
