Dustin Johnson edges out Spieth

• Dustin Johnson has upper hand over playing partner Spieth
• American leads the way by one shot after seven-under 65
• Paul Lawrie just one shot back after shooting 66

Dustin Johnson edged out playing partner Jordan Spieth to lead the Open after putting together a bogey-free seven-under-par round of 65.

The 31-year-old, who three-putted on the 18th at Chambers Bay to hand his fellow American his second major title of the year last month, out-scored Spieth by two shots on day one after making the most of the favourable morning conditions.

Johnson went out in 31, which included a short putt for an eagle at the par-5 fifth, before coming home in 34 on what proved to be an incredibly tricky back nine.

“We’re good buddies and we like playing with each other” – Dustin Johnson

“I got off to a good start, played well on the front nine and coming home, it played pretty difficult,” admitted Dustin Johnson. “The only time I was really out of position was on 16 and 17. I made a ten-footer on 16 for par and about a 15-footer on 17. Other than that, I had good looks at birdie all day.

“We played really well. We’re good buddies and we like playing with each other. We had a lot of fun out there today and it’s special when you’re playing well.”

One shot behind Dustin Johnson is a group of six players, including fellow morning starters Paul Lawrie, Jason Day, Robert Streb and Retief Goosen, while Zach Johnson and Danny Willett recorded the same score in increasingly difficult afternoon conditions.

“It was a tough day with the wind pumping out there,” said Willett. “I hit some good golf shots, played really nicely on the front nine and to go three-under on the back nine was pretty good.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

Meanwhile, Spieth conceded that despite only being two shots behind Dustin Johnson, he’d have to be at his best to compete with his big-hitting compatriot throughout the week.

“I’m very pleased with the start,” he said. “I saw a 65 in our group, and if DJ keeps driving it the way he is then I’m going to have to play my best golf to have a chance. It’s hard to argue with someone who’s splitting bunkers at about 380 yards but if I didn’t think I could beat him, I would walk off and take a flight back home.”

Marc Warren followed up his excellent final round at the US Open by opening up with a round of four-under, while as far as the other Scots were concerned, Sandy Lyle shot one-under, Russell Knox and Richie Ramsay were both level par and Stephen Gallacher was one-over.

Dustin Johnson :: Can he bounce back?

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