THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – File this one under just plain bad luck.
Zach Johnson posted an opening-round 5-under 67 to grab the overnight lead at the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge, and then backed it up with a nifty 68 on Friday.
And he now trails by two.
That’s what happens when tournament host Tiger Woods shoots 62, but it hardly left Johnson with a bad taste in his mouth.
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“I had opportunities I could have got up‑and‑down for birdie and a couple of those par 5s that I didn’t,” he said afterward. “Other than that, pretty solid day. No complaints. I mean, you finish with a birdie on 18, especially after yesterday when I bogeyed it, so I’ll take it.”
Woods and Johnson will play in the final pairing during Saturday’s third round, scheduled to tee off at 1:58 p.m. ET.