Two share lead at Northern Trust
Saturday, 6 February 2010 17:43Dustin Johnson hit a hole-in-one in pouring rain to upstage fellow American Steve Stricker's green-side theatrics and hold a share of the second-round lead at the Northern Trust Open.
Both were tied at 10-under par after play was halted at the sodden Riviera Country Club, where failing light left 41 of the field unable to complete their rounds.
Overnight leader Johnson was three-under par with two holes to play, while Stricker made the most of his early start to shoot a six-under 65. Argentina's Andres Romero finished three strokes behind the leaders at one-under with three to play.
Pádraig Harrington, who shot a first round of 72, was on one-over par when play was stopped after carding a two on the par three 16th. But he may need another birdie in his closing two holes to make the weekend proper with the projected currently at one over par.
Johnson, whose putter lit up the greens to carve a one-stroke lead on Thursday, conjured some magic with his eight-iron on the sixth. His 152-yard tee-shot in pouring rain landed four feet behind the hole then spun the ball back into the cup.
American Rocco Mediate and Sweden's Jesper Parnevik withdrew from the tournament citing back injuries, while another American in Chris Couch pulled out after complaining of a shoulder injury.
