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Johnson and List share slim lead in Canadian Open

Dustin Johnson makes his way to the 12th tee
Dustin Johnson makes his way to the 12th tee

Dustin Johnson recovered from a nightmare start to retain a share of the lead on seven under at the Canadian Open in Ontario.

Johnson had two bogeys and a double bogey in his first four holes as he made a poor start at Glen Abbey but recovered with birdies at seven and nine to turn in 39.

He faired better on the back nine with a further four birdies but another bogey on the 17th hole cost him the outright lead as he signed for a one-under round of 71 and a tie at the top of the leaderboard with Luke List.

"I really don't know what happened the first four holes," Johnson told reporters. "Just got off to a bad start. Hit it in a couple awkward spots. Made some bad bogeys, but fought back and turned it around and felt like I played really nicely from 14 on in.

"The wind today almost feels like it's a little bit heavier and it's affecting the ball a little bit more, and it's a little bit different direction," Johnson said. "You've just got to take advantage of the downwind holes and the into-the-wind holes, just try to get looks."

List also shot 71 and finished strongly with two birdies in his last three holes but his round was blemished by a run of three bogeys in four holes early on the back nine.

Canadian amateur Jared du Toit, Jon Rahm and Kelly Kraft are a stroke behind the leading pair on six under.

Du Toit held a share of the lead when he turned but a triple-bogey eight on his 11th hole set him back before three late birdies pulled him back up the leaderboard.

Graeme McDowell missed the cut following a 76 which left him seven over.

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