Perhaps Dustin Johnson simply wanted to remind everyone that he is the top-ranked player in the world.
DJ carded a brilliant, bogey-free 9-under-par 63 to take a one-stroke lead over Brooks Koepka midway through the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China.
“I played very well today,” said Johnson, the only player who has won all four of the World Golf Championships, including this event in 2013. “I actually got a putter like about 20 minutes before I teed off, it’s a Spider, so it’s one that I’ve used before. I wasn’t really pleased with the one I played with yesterday, so the guys here in China made me one. I got it right before I walked to the tee. I hit a few putts on the practice green with it and I was like, ‘Oh, this will work pretty well.’ Went out and holed a lot of putts today, so kind of like it.
“It’s a golf course that I enjoy playing. It suits my eye very well. It’s still, though, you’ve got to drive it well. For me, if I drive it good out here, I feel like I can make a lot of birdies. The par 5s, I can reach all the par 5s if I drive it in the fairway. You know, so those are where I’ve got to attack. The rest of the holes, I feel like if I’m in the fairway, I can attack the golf course.”
Johnson, who was dominant with three straight victories early this year before being slowed by a back injury, collected seven birdies on the back nine including the last four in a row to finish 36 holes at 13-under 131.
Koepka, the reigning U.S. Open champion and first-round leader at 64, posted a bogey-free 68.
Justin Rose of England also shot 68 and is four shots back in a tie for third with Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who totaled 70, while Patrick Reed is one more back in fifth after making four birdies on the back nine in another 70.
Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and Brian Harman all finished at 69 and are six down in a tie for sixth with Matt Kuchar, who had a 70, while Tyrrell Hatton of England and Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain both shot 70 and are seven behind in a tie for 10th.
Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan carded a second 74 and is tied for 66th.
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