Johnson fires 65 to take Colonial lead

Published : May 23, 2014 - 19:32 Updated : May 23, 2014 - 19:32

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) ― Dustin Johnson had played Colonial only once before, six years ago when he didn’t even make it to the final round.

In his return to Hogan’s Alley, Johnson took a one-stroke lead after the first round.

Johnson shot a bogey-free 5-under 65 on Thursday, driving a lot of 3-irons off the tees into the fairways and hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation.

“I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing,” Johnson said. “I’ve got a pretty good game plan for the golf course off the tee. So I’m going to stick to that, just trying to keep getting birdie looks on every hole.”

His only birdie on the back nine was a 2-footer at the 177-yard 16th hole. That was enough to lead after his front-side 31 that included a 45-foot birdie putt on the difficult par-4 fifth hole.

Hunter Mahan, playing in the group ahead of Johnson, led before a double-bogey 6 at the 433-yard 18th hole for a 66. He was tied for second with Harris English, Tim Wilkinson and Robert Streb.

Jimmy Walker, a three-time winner this season, and 20-year-old Dallas native Jordan Spieth were in the group of 10 players at 67.

Korea’s Noh Seung-yul plays a shot on the 11th hole at the Colonial on Thursday. (AFP-Yonhap)

Matthew leads Airbus LPGA Classic

MOBILE, Alabama (AP) ― Catriona Matthew took the first-round lead Thursday in the Airbus LPGA Classic, holing a bunker shot for an eagle and finishing with an 8-under 64.

The 44-year-old Scot rebounded from a bogey on the par-4 12th ― her third hole in the morning round ― with the eagle on the par-5 13th and birdied seven of her final 11 holes.

“That kind of kick-started my round,” Matthew said about the eagle.

She won the last of her four LPGA Tour titles in 2011.

“Obviously, really pleased,” Matthew said. “Just had two weeks at home, so never quite know what you’re going to come out and play like. So, yeah, delighted. Got the putter going and holed some putts.”

Charley Hull had a bogey-free 65 in the afternoon. The 18-year-old English player birdied the final two holes on the Crossings Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia Grove complex.