Dustin Johnson recovered from a nightmare start to retain a share of the lead on seven under at the Canadian Open in Ontario.
Johnson had two bogeys and a double bogey in his first four holes as he made a poor start at Glen Abbey but recovered with birdies at seven and nine to turn in 39.
Friday's best from Glen Abbey https://t.co/JIljPDpm7q
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 23, 2016
He faired better on the back nine with a further four birdies but another bogey on the 17th hole cost him the outright lead as he signed for a one-under round of 71 and a tie at the top of the leaderboard with Luke List.
“I really don’t know what happened the first four holes,” Johnson told reporters. “Just got off to a bad start. Hit it in a couple awkward spots. Made some bad bogeys, but fought back and turned it around and felt like I played really nicely from 14 on in.
“The wind today almost feels like it’s a little bit heavier and it’s affecting the ball a little bit more, and it’s a little bit different direction,” Johnson said. “You’ve just got to take advantage of the downwind holes and the into-the-wind holes, just try to get looks.”
List also shot 71 and finished strongly with two birdies in his last three holes but his round was blemished by a run of three bogeys in four holes early on the back nine.
Canadian amateur Jared du Toit, Jon Rahm and Kelly Kraft are a stroke behind the leading pair on six under.
Du Toit held a share of the lead when he turned but a triple-bogey eight on his 11th hole set him back before three late birdies pulled him back up the leaderboard.
