By Mark Lamport-Stokes
PACIFIC PALISADES, California, Feb 19 (Reuters) - A year after losing a playoff for the Northern Trust Open, long-hitting American Dustin Johnson was back in contention for the title as he moved into a share of the early second-round lead on Friday.
Johnson, a nine-times winner on the PGA Tour, took advantage of good scoring conditions at a sun-splashed Riviera Country Club, firing a five-under 66 for an eight-under total of 134.
That left the 31-year-old American level with compatriot Troy Merritt (66), and a stroke in front of Australia's Marc Leishman who carded a 67.