Sergio Garcia hails 'awesome' Dustin Johnson at US Open in Oakmont
By Ben Reynolds
Last Updated: 18/06/16 10:21am
Sergio Garcia heaped praise on Dustin Johnson after the American recorded just one bogey in two weather-hit rounds of the US Open to set the clubhouse lead.
Johnson posted a one-under second round 69 to sit four under for the tournament and tie for the lead with Andrew Landy, who is yet to start his second round because of multiple thunderstorms.
They are both two clear of Garcia and Scott Piercy, who both carded 70s, and the Spaniard says Johnson is the man to beat at Oakmont this week.
"He played awesome," said Garcia, who has played in Johnson's company at Oakmont. "I also played with him last year the first two rounds (at Chambers Bay).
"He played really, really well today. It's impressive. He drove the ball great, very far. I don't think he missed many fairways at all.
"Out of 36 holes here at Oakmont with only one bogey, it shows you have to play really, really well. He's going to be tough to beat, but I'll give it a shot."
Twelve months after his US Open dream became a nightmare when a three-putt on the final hole saw him finish a stroke behind Jordan Spieth, Johnson was the only player in the field to go bogey-free in his opening round earlier on Friday as he fired a three-under 67.
After a short turnaround, he then followed up with a one-under 69 that could have been three or four strokes better had he not missed several putts from 10 feet and in.
"I felt like I hit good putts," Johnson said after posting a 36-hole total of four-under 136. "It wasn't like I hit bad putts or, you know, my speed was bad. It's just tough.
"I felt like I left myself in good positions too. Just if you're just a hair off, it doesn't go in. So I felt like I was doing everything correct. I was hitting all my putts where I wanted to.
"They're going to go in eventually, but I made some nice putts too. So, you know, I'm happy with the way everything went today."
Still seeking his first major title after recording 11 top-10s in the blue riband events, Johnson was asked if his three-putt at the final hole at Chambers Bay 12 months ago was weighing on his mind at Oakmont this week.
"What happened last year?" Johnson replied.
Watch continuing coverage of the US Open from 1.30pm on Saturday live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
