Tag

Asked what he had learned over the years about being in the lead at majors or trying to play catch-up, Johnson replied: “It doesn’t really bother me either way”.

Piercy has two birdies over his first five holes and now shares the lead with Johnson at 6 under par.

Dustin Johnson, back at the scene of the proverbial crime, admits that he has not brushed up on the local rules for the PGA Championship.

So he laid up with a 5-iron. McIlroy said he felt great in warm-ups leading into the major and now he will tee off in the first round in the afternoon. “And it worked out”.

The 26-year-old, who is yet to win a Major, hopes to complete an American clean sweep for the first time since 1982.

Indeed, 26-year-old Rory McIlroy and 22-year-old Jordan Spieth each have two victories in the past five majors, are ranked first and second in the world, respectively, and have signaled their intentions to take over the game the way Tiger and Phil once did.

The Scot had an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys.

And who can blame them?

If he is able to play at Whistling Straits, McIlroy is grouped for the first two rounds with Masters and U.S. Open victor Jordan Spieth and The Open champion Zach Johnson.

So he happily went along at Firestone South in Akron, Ohio, making five birdies in 10 holes on his way to a 4-under-par 66. New Zealander Danny Lee topped the leaderboard at 5 under 65.

Masters and U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth, the world No. 2, will command the spotlight at this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational where Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are both conspicuous absentees. He has played the Bridgestone Invitational every year since its inception...

American Johnson produced a brilliant birdie putt on his last hole to move 15 under but Leishman showed nerves of steel with his next shot on the 15, retaining his one shot lead with a 10 footer just as Johnson was making his way for the clubhouse.

The Australian bogeyed the hole while his two rivals birdied, meaning he was virtually out of the running from that point on, but Leishman took the misfortune with good grace.

The future of golf is Jordan Spieth.

“I’ve certainly closed plenty of tournaments out, and this just wasn’t one of those”, the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion said.