'Number 1' Johnson 2 Over Par "Too Long a Break?"... Snedeker Leads at 5 Under Par

After Recovering from COVID-19, Kim Siwoo Starts Houston Open Tied 63rd on Day One, Performs Well Tied 44th at 1 Over Par

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (right) is looking at the course on the 10th hole on the first day of the Houston Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "I've rested too long."

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) stumbled with a 2-over-par on the first day of the PGA Tour Houston Open (total prize money $7 million) held on the 6th (Korean time) at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas (par 71, 7,021 yards). Brant Snedeker (USA) took the lead immediately with a 5-under-par, and as many as six players including Jason Day (Australia) are fiercely competing for the lead at 3-under-par 67, two strokes behind.

Johnson was diagnosed with COVID-19 before The CJ Cup on the 14th of last month. This tournament is his first appearance after recovery. In fact, his iron shot green hit rate was shaky at 61.11%, showing dulled shot senses in real play, and his short game failed to maintain the score. Starting at the 10th hole (par 4), he exchanged birdies and bogeys, but was halted by three consecutive bogeys from holes 16 to 18. Fortunately, he recovered one stroke with two birdies and one bogey on the back nine.

It is noteworthy that Johnson was the 'Player of the Year' who swept three wins in the 2020 season. With his Travelers Championship win in June, he achieved at least one win every year since the 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship, reaching '13 consecutive seasons with a win,' and in August's playoffs (PO), he posted an amazing record of 'win - runner-up - win' in three matches. The highlight was the first round, The Northern Trust, where he surged to 11-under-par on the second day and secured a massive 11-stroke victory.

Kim Si-woo is teeing off at the 12th hole on the first day of the Houston Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

In the second round, the BMW Championship, he finished second after a playoff battle with Jon Rahm (Spain), and in the final third round Tour Championship, he secured a three-stroke victory again, becoming the PO champion and hitting the '15 million dollar (1.7 billion KRW) jackpot.' For Johnson, adjusting his shot senses in preparation for the upcoming 'Masters,' the prestigious tournament starting on the 12th, is urgent. He said, "I couldn't practice," and "I'm satisfied if I can just make a few good shots now," calming his mind.

It is also news that Brooks Koepka (USA) finished tied for 63rd. He participated as an advisor during the Memorial Park renewal by course designer Tom Doak. He made three birdies and three bogeys, but suffered a critical double bogey when his tee shot on the 7th hole (par 3) flew into the left penalty area of the green. Defending champion Lanto Griffin (USA) also remains in this group, making title defense difficult. He struggled on the greens with an average of 1.92 putts per hole.

Sergio Garcia (Spain), who won the Sanderson Farms Championship early last month to claim his first victory of the new season, is tied for 88th at 4-over-par. Korea's Kim Si-woo (25) is performing well, tied for 44th at 1-over-par. He made four birdies and three bogeys, but was disappointed by a double bogey when his second shot on the 16th hole (par 5) landed in the water. Im Sung-jae (22) is tied for 88th, and Kang Sung-hoon (33) and Lee Kyung-hoon (29, both CJ Logistics) fell back to tied for 110th at 6-over-par.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.