Dustin Johnson takes British Open lead as emotional Woods bows out

Dustin Johnson

Tiger Woods

ST. ANDREWS, AFP: Former world number one Dustin Johnson, who recently defected to the breakaway LIV series, shot a 67 to seize the clubhouse lead at nine under par on the second day of the 150th British Open yesterday but an emotional Tiger Woods bowed out after his struggles continued on the Old Course.

Johnson, the two-time major winner who quit the PGA Tour last month to join the controversial Saudi-backed series, followed his opening four-under-par 68 with a bogey at the first.

However, the American quickly recovered from that with no more bogeys and six birdies, including one at the last which saw him move clear atop the leaderboard.

Johnson will be hoping to avoid any repeat of the last Open at St. Andrews in 2015, when he led at the halfway stage on 10-under but a third-round 75 ended his hopes of victory.

Meanwhile, after sitting at five-under overnight, Australia’s Cameron Smith birdied five of his first nine holes yesterday to lead on the course at 10-under.

World number one Scottie Scheffler and England’s Tyrrell Hatton, who went out together, both moved onto eight-under at the halfway stage.

Masters champion Scheffler recorded a second consecutive 68 while Hatton enjoyed a bogey-free 66 yesterday.

The last player to win the Masters and British Open in the same year was Woods in 2005.

However, he shot a six-over-par 78 in a grim first round that began with him going into the Swilcan Burn at the first hole.

A 75 yesterday, featuring a double-bogey at the 16th, represented an improvement, but at nine-over he will not be returning for the weekend, and possibly not to another Open here.

The emotion got to Woods, who appeared to wipe away tears as he saluted adoring crowds on his walk up the 18th fairway.