'Number 1' Johnson "4 Under Par for Two Consecutive Days"... Burns Surprising Leader

Houston Open Day 3: Im Sung-jae Rises to 5th, Day Ties for 2nd, Im Stalls at T64

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson is teeing off on the 1st hole on the third day of the Houston Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Four under par for two consecutive days."

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) is fine-tuning his dazzling real-game shot sense. On the 8th (Korean time) at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas (par 71, 7,021 yards), the third day of the PGA Tour Houston Open (total prize money $7 million), he added four under par to leap to 5th place (6 under par, 204 strokes) in one go. Sam Burns (USA) leads (9 under par, 201 strokes), with Jason Day (Australia) and Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) tied for 2nd place, one stroke behind (8 under par, 202 strokes).

It is interesting that Johnson was diagnosed with COVID-19 before The CJ Cup on the 14th of last month. This tournament is his first appearance after full recovery. After falling to a tie for 63rd place with 2 over par on the first day, he surged to a tie for 14th with 4 under par on the second day, and reduced four more strokes on this day to enter the contention for the championship. His 'needle-like iron shots' stood out, missing the green only three times while hitting drives up to 341 yards. He made four birdies on holes 5, 8, 9, and 17.

He is three strokes behind the leader, a position with plenty of chances for a comeback. Johnson was the 'Player of the Year' in the 2020 season, winning three times. With his Travelers Championship win in June, he achieved at least one victory every year since the Turning Stone Resort Championship in 2008, reaching '13 consecutive seasons with a win.' In the three playoff (PO) events in August, he posted an impressive record of 'win - runner-up - win.' He is motivated to maximize his condition in preparation for the upcoming 'Masters Tournament' starting on the 12th.

Sam Burns, a 24-year-old next-generation prospect who joined the PGA Tour in 2018, shares the dream of his first victory. Jason Day (Australia) is another contender for the title. He is aiming for his 13th career win after 2 years and 6 months since the Wells Fargo Championship in May 2018. Brooks Koepka (USA) remained tied for 13th place (3 under par, 207 strokes). Among the Korean contingent, Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) lost three strokes with two birdies and five bogeys, finishing tied for 64th place (6 over par, 216 strokes).

Sam Burns is making an approach shot on the 18th hole on the third day of the Houston Open. Houston, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

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