Zach Johnson remains in contention at British Open

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - Zach Johnson began his second round at the Open Championship at St. Andrews' Old Course with a couple early birdies and quickly grabbed the lead on his own, ultimately shooting a 1-under 71.

Zach Johnson now trails leader Dustin Johnson, who stands at 10-under. Dustin Johnson showed up and figuratively blew everyone away Friday night with massive drives and timely putts.

Zach trails by three strokes at the moment, as Dustin is currently through 13 holes in Round 2 and 10-under for the Championship.

'I feel good about my position,” Johnson said. 'Clearly you'd rather be towards the top than in the middle or the pack going into the weekend. At the same time, it's only two days. You don't know what Saturday is going to hold.”

Who wouldn't feel the same way?

Johnson is having fun playing his favorite type of golf into the teeth of significant winds.

We'll see how he plays Saturday, but he appears in a good frame of mind - and he's saying as much.

'I'm just excited where my game has been and where it is right now, whether it continues or even progresses from here this week, that would be fantastic,” Johnson said. 'If it doesn't, I still like the state of where I'm at.”

Johnson sounded relaxed and measured about the challenges he faced on a breezy morning in Round 2. Johnson said the wind direction switched around as he got to the sixth hole and he had to make adjustments coming in.

So how does he view his chance today and this weekend?

'I feel like mentally I'm in a place that I can combat essentially whatever comes my way, just because there's a little bit of confidence and maybe that mental state knowing that I can,” Johnson said. 'It doesn't mean I'm going to, and I get that. My outlook right now is really just to keep doing what we're doing, trying to stay physically and mentally fresh, and, you know, enjoying the ride because this is just a lot of fun.”

As Johnson goes for his second major title, he's gotten some support this week from Cedar Rapids folks Nancy and Dave Hart, as well as Deb and Kevin Becker - who have been members at Elmcrest Country Club for 15 years.

The two couples enjoyed their time Friday, cheering loudly when Johnson's birdie putt dropped on 18.

As Johnson walked off the 18th, he walked by the four Iowans. He turned to them, smiled and said, 'I got to give you some,” and he reached out his fist for daps with the Harts and Beckers.

'It's a very special place and it's great to be here,” Dave Hart said.