Dustin Johnson leads at British Open

Dustin Johnson of Columbia is leading as the opening round of the 144th British Open wraps up at the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Johnson shot a 7-under-par 65 to take a one stroke lead over six other players, including former British Open champion Paul Lawrie, two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen and Jason Day.

Johnson played with Masters and U.S. Open champ Jordan Spieth, who finished the day two shots back at 5-under-par 67.

Perhaps the best shot of the day for Johnson was a long putt for par on the difficult par-4 17th, the infamous “Road Hole.”

“It was the longest putt I made all day,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the key to his round was driving straight and avoiding the numerous bunkers. He overpowered St. Andrews in by hitting 10 wedges into the greens.

“I played well all day, really,” he said.

Johnson was coming off a near-miss in the U.S. Open, when he finished second to Spieth after three-putting on the final hole.

Thursday morning was suited for scoring, so it was critical Johnson, Spieth and all the other early starters post a low score.

“Everybody knows the weather Friday and Saturday is going to be very difficult, so today I thought was very important to get off to a good start and try to make as many birdies as you can,” Johnson said. “Because the next couple days, it's going to be very difficult.”

It was every bit of that for Tiger Woods.

A two-time Open champion on these links, Woods hit into the Swilcan Burn on the first hole, didn’t make a birdie until the 14th hole and had to scramble to salvage a 76, his worst score in 13 rounds as a pro at St. Andrews. He was tied with 65-year-old Tom Watson, who had a 76 in his final British Open.

The buzz came from the top of the leaderboard, especially with Johnson and Spieth making this feel like the U.S. Open, except for the location and green color of grass.

Spieth opened with two straight birdies and looked as solid as ever with the putter. Johnson also converted putts after wedges into so many greens for birdie, along with a 7-iron into 10 feet on the par-5 fifth hole for eagle.

They are playing together for the opening two rounds, and they laughed and chatted as if this were Thursday at a regular PGA Tour event.

“No chat about the U.S. Open at all, as I wouldn't imagine there would be, other than talking about the differences in the course,” Spieth said. “But I enjoy playing with Dustin. I’ve played a lot of golf with him.”

He also knows what to expect. Johnson is among the most athletic players in golf, and the most powerful. He was dialed in at Chambers Bay, and it appeared as though the three weeks he spent away from competition didn't hurt him in the least. Spieth was along for the ride when Johnson stayed on the attack, often hitting it some 50 yards past Spieth and Matsuyama. Along with five birdies and an eagle, Johnson saved par from 10 feet and 15 feet on the 16th and 17th holes as the wind gained strength.

“If D.J. keeps driving it the way he is, then I'm going to have to play my best golf to have a chance,” Spieth said.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 10:15 AM with the headline "Dustin Johnson leads at British Open."