Johnson withdraws from Sony Open with the flu

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dustin Johnson follows his shot off the first fairway during the first round of the Sony Open golf tournament on Thursday in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Dustin Johnson withdrew today after nine holes at the Sony Open because of the flu.

Johnson was coming off a four-shot win last week in the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, which started Monday and raced to a 54-hole finish a day later because of high wind.

He opened with a 70 at Waialae and was 3 over on the front nine — at least four shots away from making the cut — when he informed tournament officials that he was too ill to continue.

Johnson had a chance this week to join Ernie Els as the only players to sweep the two Hawaii tournaments at the start of the year. Els won both in 2003.

Rookie Russell Henley had another 7-under 63 in the Sony Open and wound up with a two-shot lead over fellow rookie Scott Langley among early starters in the second round. He was at 14-under 126, which breaks by two shots the 36-hole record at this tournament.

In the first full-field event of the season, the two rookies are leading the way.

Langley finished with three straight birdies for a 66, a solid effort after opening with a 62. Depending on afternoon play, they would play together a third straight day, this time as the final group. They first were linked as low amateurs in the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.