Zach Johnson battles ‘terrible’ greens, makes cut

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Zach Johnson grinded hard for a 2-over 74 Friday at the 115th U.S. Open on a sunny afternoon at Chambers Bay. He stands tied for 47th and will play the weekend.

Competing in his 12th U.S. Open, Johnson was clearly frustrated with the condition of Chambers Bay's greens. When asked to describe them he used one direct word: 'Terrible.' Other players mentioned that the greens were not suitable for America's golfing national championship.

Johnson took that idea further and extended the greens' conditions to being unacceptable and worthy of 'no tournament.'

'The golf course is awesome but it's just the greens, it's just unfortunate where they're at,' Johnson said.

They are dry, browned, bouncy, and just plain unpredictable.

Golfers like to know what they're getting into, especially with scoring clubs like a putter in their hands, and this U.S. Open has proven 'difficult' for the 39-year-old to deal with.

Johnson began his day Friday on the back nine, just missing a 25-foot birdie putt on the 10th. Johnson opened his mouth wide in surprise at how his ball abruptly halted in front of the hole.

A double bogey on the 11th got Johnson's attention and he responded with three birdies in the next five holes and finished his first nine at even par for the round. But the course then showed its teeth. 'Once you think you've got it going (this course) will bite you,' Johnson said. 'And once you're bit, you try to get back at it and it will still bite you ... so it's hard. It's just difficult out there.'

Johnson pointed to his bogey on No. 1 and double on No. 2 as hurting his ability to make a dent on the leaderboard. 'Otherwise I would have a good number today.'

Johnson felt he played his game well, it's just the results and the scorecard that proved frustrating.

'I played good,' he said. 'When it comes to scorecard it was frustrating (results) but I played solid this week.'

Asked how he assessed his first two days of competition Johnson was blunt.

'I survived and finished 36 holes and didn't get hurt,' Johnson said.

Although the Cedar Rapids native was frustrated he felt badly for the fans at Chambers who had obstructed views on almost every hole with the course's massive mounds.

'It's brutal, especially for a spectator,' Johnson said. 'They've pretty much got to get there in a grandstand on one hole. That's what I see. It's beautiful and it's a fun course to see because it's different, but it's difficult.'