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Four weeks after being literally bruised by a fall that cost
him participation in the Masters, the elements went to work on
world number one Johnson at Eagle Point in Wilmington.
He dropped two strokes in 13 holes to end the day equal 46th at
even par, within sight of the leaders but not completely assured
of making the cut, which is likely to fall at one-over when the
round is completed early Saturday.
Johnson, back in action after five weeks off, is seeking to win
in his fourth consecutive start.
He was among 68 players unable to complete the round after
morning thunderstorms delayed the start of play by three hours.
Competition will resume at 7.30 a.m. local time.
Skies cleared but gave way to strong, gusty winds that left most
players in survival mode.
Irishman Seamus Power (71) and American Billy Hurley III (69)
had the clubhouse lead at five-under 139, while Italian
Francesco Molinari (11 holes) and American John Peterson (12)
were also five-under, one stroke ahead of a group including
Spanish duo Jon Rahm and Rafa Cabrera-Bello.
Power, a 30-year-old PGA Tour rookie from Waterford, was asked
whether he had played well in the wind because of his background
growing up near the coast.
“Here it’s much tougher when the wind blows like this,” the 2016
Olympian told reporters. “A lot of links golf you can at least
run (the ball in to the green) and you don’t have to worry about
landing it the perfect distance.
“It was tough to judge the wind. It’s swirling all over the
place and it’s awfully strong. And greens like this that are
firm and fast, you slightly get a gust the wrong way and all of
a sudden you've missed the green in the wrong spot or you’re
40-50 feet away and really struggling.
“Every hole you can drop a shot on very quickly if you’re out of
position, so overall pretty pleased.”
Co-leader Hurley was thrilled to sink a 10-foot par putt at his
final hole.
“I’ve finished poorly in a lot of rounds of golf in the last
month or so, so that was really big for me,” he said.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by
Larry Fine)
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