Dustin Johnson surged back into contention on July 11, 2024, posting a four‑birdie stretch that tied the U.S. Open lead at Shinnecock Hills before a double‑bogey left him two shots off the top.
What happened?
Johnson opened the first round with a steady start, then ripped four straight birdies on holes 2‑5, catapulting the LIV Golf Aces captain into a share of the lead alongside Wyndham Clark. A missed birdie on the par‑5 fifth and a three‑putt on the par‑4 sixth produced a double‑bogey, pushing Johnson four strokes back when play was halted for darkness.
How did Johnson finish the round?
When play resumed Friday, Johnson wasted no time. He sank a 3½‑foot birdie putt on the par‑3 seventh and kept the momentum rolling. He closed the round with a 66 (‑4), finishing alone in second place, just two shots behind Clark’s 64. It marked Johnson’s first top‑two finish in a major in over three years.
Why does this matter for Johnson?
The performance arrives as Johnson’s ten‑year exemption to the U.S. Open, earned by his 2016 victory at Oakmont, expires after this edition. At 41, he’s chasing a rare LIV‑player major win; none of his former tour mates—Koepka, Rahm, DeChambeau—have captured a title since switching. Johnson has missed six cuts in 14 majors since joining LIV, with his best finish a T‑10 at the 2023 U.S. Open. A runner‑up finish now revives talk of a possible final major triumph before his exemption ends.
What’s next for the former world No. 1?
Johnson will tee off alongside Clark in the second round, a pairing that could spark another surge. He’s already shown he can still drive the ball 400 yards—he recorded 403‑ and 330‑yard drives during his birdie run. If he can tighten his short‑game, especially putting, he could climb back into the lead as the tournament heads into the weekend.
How does this fit into Johnson’s legacy?
Johnson held the world’s top ranking for 135 weeks between 2017 and 2021 and won two majors: the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters. His early‑career meltdowns at Pebble Beach (2010) and Whistling Straits (2010) are still remembered, but his recent resurgence hints at a late‑career renaissance. A strong finish at Shinnecock could add a third major to his résumé and cement his status as one of golf’s enduring talents.
What does the leaderboard look like now?
After the first round, Clark leads at 6‑under, Johnson sits second at 4‑under, and a pack of five players shares the next spot at 3‑under. The field remains tightly packed, with the next few days set to shuffle the board dramatically.