Zach Johnson Off To Blazing Start At Colonial

Just when it looked as if Jason Dufner would run away with the tournament after firing a 6-under 64 in Friday’s second round at the PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational, 18-hole leader Zach Johnson began his day with an eagle-3 at the par-5 first hole.

Johnson drained a 16-foot putt for his eagle, made a birdie on No. 2 and was immediately within two strokes of Dufner’s clubhouse-leading 11-under score.

Thanks to his flawless round, Dufner took early command of the leader board and has a chance to head into the weekend just 36 holes from capturing his second consecutive PGA Tour victory. While playing partner Rickie Fowler turned in a decent 2-under round, he just couldn’t keep up with Dufner.

“We’re going to have to play catch-up this weekend,” Fowler told PGATour.com.

For Dufner, who won the Byron Nelson Championship last week, it was deja vu all over again, as he birdied his first three holes at Colonial Country Club for the second straight day (he began Friday’s round off the 10th tee).

Others were not so fortunate. With the projected cut line at 2-over, defending champ David Toms (4-over through one hole Friday) had work to do if he hoped not to be among those heading home for Memorial Day weekend barbecues. It appeared that the massive overhaul to his pre-shot routine was having a negative impact on Kevin Na, who followed up Thursday’s 70 with a 71 and had to hope the cut line would stay where it was.

Among those moving in the other direction was John Daly, who, with a birdie at No. 2 on Friday, was working on a 1-under round.