Golf Sport: Dustin Johnson leads Memorial after 10 birdies in opening round

Dustin Johnson led after the first round of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio with an eight-under-par 64 to open a two-shot gap over the world No1, Jason Day.

Johnson, who had three bursts of birdies to shoot 10 in all, ended one shot ahead of his fellow American Brendan Steele, who has had only one career win on the US tour, in 2011.

Day rallied with three birdies and an eagle on the back nine to end on 66 with four others. Jordan Spieth’s putter saved him in a scrappy round he turned into a 70 after he one-putted his opening seven holes. Rory McIlroy went back to a conventional putting grip and shot a 71, mixing six birdies with three bogeys and a double.

Taking advantage of pristine conditions with a superb all-round game, Johnson briefly got to nine under with four consecutive birdies on his back nine. He bogeyed the par-four 17th after hitting his second shot into a greenside bunker.

Johnson, whose best finish this season was a third place at the Houston Open in April, set the tone with an explosive birdie-birdie-birdie start.

“I just played well right out of the gates,” Johnson said. “I hit great shots in the right spot on the greens and rolled in some putts. This year, I’ve felt like I’m playing well. I just haven’t quite played up to my potential. With me it has everything to do with the putter. I rolled it well today.”

Day, who clinched his third PGA Tour victory of the season at the Players Championship last month, was delighted to make a good start at Muirfield where he has struggled in the past.

“I hit it nice from tee to green, gave myself opportunities on the greens and then also capitalised on those,” the Australian said. “I’m pleased because usually I come into this event and start pretty poorly, maybe put a little too much pressure on myself.”