Dustin Johnson surges into contention at Abu Dhabi championship

US Open champion Dustin Johnson surged into contention to win his first regular European Tour event on day three of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

Dustin Johnson surges into contention at Abu Dhabi championship

US Open champion Dustin Johnson surged into contention to win his first regular European Tour event on day three of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

Johnson faced a battle to make the halfway cut after labouring to an opening 72, but responded with a 68 in the second round and carried on where he left off on Saturday.

The world number three birdied the first, third and sixth before adding an eagle on the eighth - surprisingly his first under-par score on any of the par fives at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Johnson's momentum stalled with a run of six straight pars before a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th gave the 32-year-old a superb 64, equalling the lowest score of the week.

"I played a little bit better today," Johnson said with typical understatement. "The biggest difference was I drove it better, I hit a lot more fairways today and holed a few putts.

"I'm still yet to birdie a par five but I did make an eagle on eight, chipped one in. It was a really solid round."

At 12 under par, Johnson was just one shot behind three-time champion Martin Kaymer, the overnight leader recovering from a bogey on the fourth with birdies on the fifth and eighth.

Ireland's Paul Dunne, Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Sweden's Peter Hanson were all on 11 under, with England's Tommy Fleetwood among a group of seven players a shot further back.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

OFX Irish Legends Media Day Paul McGinley wants to address Irish Senior Open regret
The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches - Day 1 - Afternoon Fourball Matches Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's virtual golf league to launch in January
2023 Ryder Cup – Singles Matches 'Drunken lunch' led to Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teaming up for New Orleans
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up

Ireland's Top 10 Hidden Gems

Ten of the best golf courses in Ireland that too few people know about.

Read Here
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited