Johnson Secures Early Lead

Dustin Johnson stormed through the field to secure a one-shot lead at the Northern Trust Open on Thursday.

The American carded a bogey-free round to finish on seven-under - with Johnson holding an early advantage over Andres Romero and Kevin Stadler in Los Angeles.

Johnson carded 32 on both the front and back nine - with the pick of his day coming on the 12th when he holed a 65-foot putt for a birdie.

"I got off to a good start," Johnson said. "I hit some good shots and made a real good birdie."

It was the seventh time in nine rounds he had finished under par at the Riviera Country Club - and Johnson believes the course is perfect for his game.

"It really fits my eye well," Johnson said. "The greens are really good here. It's just a fun course to play.
Smart

"You've got to hit every club in your bag and you've got to be smart coming into the greens."

Stadler had got off to a storming start to move to six under after only eight holes - however he couldn't maintain his charge as he only add a birdie and a bogey to remain second with Romero.

Ricky Barnes, who like Johnson carded a bogey-free round, and Brandt Snedeker were a shot further back on five-under.

World No.3 Steve Stricker, Steve Lowery and Cameron Beckman all carded rounds of 67, while Luke Donald, Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa, David Duval, Scott Verplank and Jesper Parnevik were part of a large group on three-under.

Justin Rose was still in contention on two under, with compatriot Greg Owen carding a level-par 71 and Padraig Harrington, Martin Laird and Brian Davis all settling for rounds of 72.

The trio are joined on one-over by Phil Mickelson, who is chasing a third successive title at the Northern Trust Open.

Mickelson, who opted to not to select the Ping Eye2 wedge that caused so much controversy at the Farmers Insurance Open, dropped three shots over the final four holes to drop out of contention for the lead.