Johnson and Thomas were two of four golfers sharing 1st when the second round was cut short due to darkness. A thunderstorm had delayed the game for three hours the day before.
Among those who did not complete the second round is Tiger Woods, stuck in neutral on a day when the Greens accelerated slightly. Bryson DeChambeau was in danger of not qualifying for the weekend rounds after losing a ball which led to a triple bugy on his part.
Mexican Abraham Ancer, one of 26 golfers to make his first appearance in the Masters Tournament, netted six birdies in a round of 67 (-5) to join Johnson (70) and Thomas (69) among the leading group at -9. Australian Cameron Smith was also -9 after registering an eagle and three birdies in a row on his last four holes in a round of 68.
As strange as it sounds, you really have to forget about your past experiences this week, Thomas said. If you rely too much on what you’ve learned from this journey in the past, it can work against you. But at the end of the day, the course is softer and it is easier to get good scores.
Thomas demonstrated it on Friday morning, when he was one of 44 golfers due to complete his first round. Thomas was far to the left of the 15th green, having to attempt a nearly impossible shot under normal circumstances. This time he went from a low approach that bit the green and his ball came to rest close enough to the cup to follow up with an easy birdie.
I had to be confident that the retro effect was going to dampen the ball, Thomas said. The bullets leave marks all over the place.
Johnson was one of three golfers to finish one stroke off Woods at the Masters Tournament last year and he seemed to find his way with four birdies on the second nine for a score of 65 in the morning. He then shared the lead after 18 holes with Dylan Frittelli and Paul Casey.
Johnson quickly became the first golfer to hit -10 this week with three birdies around Amen Corner. However, he followed up with a boguey in the 14th, after his ball became marred with mud, which is not unusual this week.
In the 15th, his iron shot was slowed down by a squall and it was enough for his ball to stop on the front of the green before rolling into the water. It also led to a bug.
Johnson redeemed himself with 11 straight pars, then ended his day with a birdie on the ninth hole.
After a start to the tournament in the rain, forecasts are better this weekend.
golf agressif et continuer à jouer comme je le fais. J'aime comment je joue. J'aime mes chances.","text":"Je pense que le terrain peut se raffermir un peu, mais ce sera difficile, a dit Johnson. Je pense qu'il va rester suffisamment mou pour jouer du golf agressif et continuer à jouer comme je le fais. J'aime comment je joue. J'aime mes chances."}}" lang="fr">I think the pitch can firm up a bit, but it will be difficult, Johnson said. I think he’s going to stay soft enough to play aggressive golf and keep playing like I do. I like how I play. I like my chances.
Woods was tied for 22nd at -4 with eight holes to go when he left the course on Friday.
Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., Was in the next group at -3 with two holes left. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, BC, was tied at par after a round of 72. Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., And Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford were in danger of not getting together. qualify for the final two rounds at +1 and +2 respectively, with nine and five holes to play.
