Dustin Johnson has claimed that it was "pretty easy" for him as he took the lead on day one of the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
The world number eight received much of the attention in the build-up to the final Major of the year as he returned to the course where a two-stroke penalty on the 72nd hole prevented him from competing in a playoff in 2010 after grounding his club in what he later found out was an in-play bunker.
Johnson took full advantage of the friendly conditions in the morning to card a six-under-par 66 before many players struggled in the wind later in the day, and he was unable to hide his delight when reflecting on the round.
"Today was pretty easy, I would have to say," the 31-year-old, who three-putted the final hole at this year's US Open to gift the title to Jordan Spieth, told reporters. "I was swinging well and I was hitting the shots where I was looking and I really felt like I was just super patient, stayed focused all day.
"I really felt like I had my ball under control a lot like I did at the US Open."
Johnson has held at least a share of the lead after round one in the last three Majors.
Callum Mulvihill
