Ace inspires Johnson

Johnson: Early lead

PGA US Bank Championship
-7 R Johnson (Swe)
-6 B Pappas (Rsa)
-6 D Pappas (Rsa)
Full completed scores

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A hole-in-one helped see Richard Johnson move into the early lead at the PGA US Bank Championship on Thursday.

Johnson was celebrating after his ace on the 188-yard 14th hole at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course, with the shot helping him to a seven-under 63.

The 31-year-old said: "The wind was kind of off to the left, so I just drew a seven-iron straight up in the wind.

"It was one of those that looked perfect, but you never think it's going to go in when it's this windy."

Johnson is now hoping that the ace can help kick-start his season, with the Swede missing three straight cuts and six of his last seven.

"I've been struggling this year," Johnson said. "I mean, golf is if you can get a little confidence going.

Confidence

"All of a sudden, the hole looks bigger, you start hitting shots that you believe in, instead of before, if you've got no confidence going, you're always kind of spotting around and hoping to get a good score in.

"It's been spotty, but I've been playing well of late, so it's really nice to be able to get a good round in, finally."

Johnson's round was enough to see him hold a one-stroke lead over a South African brothers Dean and Brenden Pappas, who both carded a six-under 64.

Robert Garrigus, Dean Wilson and Patrick Sheehan are a shot further back in a tie for fourth, while Kenny Perry, who has been criticised for not entering The Open, carded a three-under 67.