Players Championship 2017: Dustin Johnson puts first-round struggles down to bad luck
Friday 12 May 2017 08:24, UK
World No 1 Dustin Johnson lamented the bad luck that prevented his "okay" opening round at the Players Championship from being a possible tournament-leading one.
Johnson's frustrations were best summed up with his bogey on the first hole after a near-perfect wedge hit the pin, rolled down the slope and off the front of the green.
Though he struggled for momentum following that opening hole, an eagle on the 16th helped Johnson finish one under par and salvage something from the round.
"I hit two perfect shots on the first and I end up making a five," said Johnson. "That about summed up my day - one-hopping it into the flag and I make a bogey.
"I hit two good shots on the second too, but horseshoed a four-footer. I did the same on 12 as well.
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"That's just kind of how my day went. I could never really get any momentum. I hit some good shots, but would lip out the putt.
"I just kind of hung in there and ultimately I'm okay with the round. Obviously it could have been really good today - I could have finished four or five under - but it ended up just being okay.
"But, all in all, to end up under par is a good finish, especially if I go out and post a good score on Friday, put myself in position for this weekend."
It was a similarly frustrating day for 2004 winner at TPC Sawgrass, Adam Scott, who was outright leader on six under par with two to play but then found water on both of the final two holes, double-bogeying both.
It was a case of contrasting emotions to his playing partner Sergio Garcia, particularly on the 17th, as he hit a stunning hole in one.
"It was awesome," said Scott on Garcia's ace. "How good it must feel to have a hole in one there? Unfortunately I followed by rinsing it.
"It was just a slight mis-hit and the ball started cutting on the wind. It pitched high right and then just spun back in the water.
"It happens. I played some good golf out there today, just unfortunately not on the last two.
"Leading on the first day doesn't matter. I'm in good shape, it was a good first round, and hopefully I'll get back up and have a better back nine on Friday, work my way back up to the lead again."
