Dustin Johnson has been close to winning what is now the Genesis Open several times and he’s right there again.
In fact, Johnson shot a second straight 5-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Pat Perez of San Diego and Cameron Tringale of Laguna Niguel after the second round at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, where rain, wind and fog has hampered the tournament three straight days.
Johnson, who along with Perez, Tringale and several others did not get to start the third round on Saturday, was at 10-under 132. The third round will continue Sunday morning and tournament officials hope to finish the tournament before darkness sets in.
“I’ve had lots of good finishes here and have drawn a lot of confidence from that,” said DJ, who has finished in the top four on five occasions at Riviera and possibly will rise to No. 1 in the world for the first time by winning this week. “I have a lot of confidence from that.
“I’m very pleased with the way I played. I hit a few squirrely shots on 9-10-11, but was able to save par each time. I thought I played very well, missed some short putts for birdie but made some long ones.
” … I want to win this tournament. Whether I get to No. 1 or not doesn’t affect me at all.”
Perez, who captured the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in November for his second PGA Tour victory, also had a 66 with five birdies on the last eight holes, while Tringale carded a bogey-free 64 that was the low round of the day.
Patrick Rodgers of Stanford birdied three of the last four holes in a 67 and was three shots back in a tie for fourth with Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela, who finished at 68, and rookie J.T. Poston, who wound up at 69 with three birdies on the last five holes.
Charley Hoffman of Poway came in with a second 68 and was four strokes down in a tie for seventh with Scott Brown and Luke Donald of England, who also had two 68s, and Kevin Na of Diamond Bar, who shot 69 in round two and did not start the third round.
Matt Kuchar shot 68 in the second round, was 1-under after one hole in round three when darkness came and also was four strokes down in the tie for seventh with Anirban Lahiri of India (67 and 1-under after one hole in round three), Wesley Bryan (68, 2-under after four), Branden Grace (70 and 1-under after one), Jason Kokrak (70 and 1-under after one), Ollie Schneiderjans (69 and 1-under after one).
Jordan Spieth shot 68 in round two, had not yet teed off in round three and was five back in a tie for 17th that included Adam Scott of Australia, who finished at 69 in round two and was even after one hole in round three.
Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner at Riviera, struggled to a 73 and was even through five holes in round three in a tie for 43rd, and Bubba Watson, who has won at Riviera two of the last three years, was on his way to missing the cut at 8-over when he withdrew with two holes remaining in round two.
