The Masters: Johnson happy at halfway stage – I like where I'm at

Dustin Johnson intends to be aggressive at Augusta over the weekend as he aims to go one better than last year's runner-up finish at the Masters.

The world number one began his bid for glory at the final major of the coronavirus-impacted year with an impressive seven-under round of 65 on Thursday.

He was not quite able to produce a repeat on Friday, though a birdie at the ninth – his last hole of the day – was enough for a score of 70, putting him on nine under par at the halfway stage.

Johnson is pleased with his overall position and, with the switch to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic making for different course conditions, made clear the need to keep playing positively throughout the remainder of the tournament.

Asked about conditions for the upcoming rounds in his media conference, Johnson said: "I think it can firm up a little bit, but it's going to be tough for it to get firm.

"I think it's going to be soft enough to where you're going to have to attack the golf course and play aggressive and keep swinging like I am.

"I like where I'm at. I like my position. Obviously, I feel like I'll be somewhere around the lead, probably not in the lead, but within a few shots, at least, and in a good position heading into the weekend."

No. 13 in orange in lieu of pink. #themasters pic.twitter.com/5hkTjOyNb2
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 13, 2020

Johnson, who ended up in a share of second behind winner Tiger Woods in 2019, made clear the par-five holes will be pivotal to his chances of success.

The 36-year-old was runner-up in Houston on the PGA Tour prior to the Masters and is pleased with his overall game, raising hopes he can enjoy another major success to add to his 2016 triumph at the U.S. Open.

On his situation after 36 holes, he said: "Before I teed off, I think I would have taken it.

"Obviously I feel like I played a little bit better than my position right now, but you know, I'm still happy with the way I'm swinging it, how I'm controlling the golf ball and everything I'm doing. You know, rolling the putter good. Just hopefully can see a few more go in over the weekend.

"For me, [I] just need to play the par fives a little bit better over the weekend. I think that's the only thing that I need to really do any better is just figure out how to get some better looks on the par fives."