Zach Johnson Up by Three in Tournament of Champions


Zach Johnson followed up his opening 6-under 67 with a stellar 66 to take a three-stroke lead through 36 holes of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The $5.7 million PGA Tour event began Friday at the Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui, Hi.

After posting an eagle, seven birdies and three bogeys in the first round, the 37-year-old Iowan - a 10-time Tour winner - carded four birdies on the front nine and three more on the back to reach 13-under 133, three strokes ahead of Matt Kuchar (68), Jordan Spieth (70) and defending champion Dustin Johnson (66).

"The more I get my feet here, the more I walk these grounds, the more comfortable I become . . . I'm comfortable with how I'm attacking, and I'm making putts - most of them," Zach Johnson told reporters.

Spieth began the day tied for the 18-hole lead with Michael Thompson, Chris Kirk and Webb Simpson. Though he wasn't as hot as he was Friday, when he fired seven birdies for a 66, the 20-year-old managed four more birdies and his first dropped shot of the tournament - a bogey on the par-4 seventh - to stay within reach Zach Johnson heading into the last 36 holes.

"All in all, I'm in good position going into the (final two rounds)," said Spieth, the 2013 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

Four back are Simpson and Thompson, who each posted 71s, while another stroke behind are Ryan Moore and Kevin Streelman, who also shot 71s. Brandt Snedeker (69), Ken Duke (69) and Jason Dufner (72) are tied for ninth at 7-under 139 in the 30-player, winners-only field.

Reigning Masters' champion Adam Scott had his second straight 70, while tied for 13th at 141 are Gary Woodland (70), Harris English (71) and Kirk, who ballooned to a 75 at the course designed by Coore-Crenshaw.

Sharing 16th at 142 are Woody Austin (70), Patrick Reed (72) and South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae (73). Alone in 19th at 143 is Scotland's Martin Laird (72).

Rounding out the leaderboard in 20th at 144 are Billy Horschel (72), Russell Henley (72), Bill Haas (73) and Scott Brown (73). Boo Weekley has carded rounds of 71 and 74 and is alone in 24th at 145.

Jonas Blixt (70), Jimmy Walker (73), D.A. Points (74) and Brian Gay (76) are tied for 5th at 146, and another stroke back is John Merrick (76). After opening with a 79, Derek Ernst shot a 76 and is in last place at 9-over 155.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.