ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – With a one-stroke lead and a benign golf course awaiting the field for Round 3 at St. Andrews, Dustin Johnson appeared poised to boat race the Open Championship and finally win his first major.
But Johnson, who three-putted the 72nd hole at last month’s U.S. Open to finish a shot behind eventual champion Jordan Spieth, started slowly, playing the front nine at the Old Course in 1 over.
When he rebounded with a birdie at the 15th hole there was still a glimmer of hope, but he bogeyed his last three holes and will begin the final round five strokes off the lead.