Focused Johnson staying grounded in Mexico

Halfway leader Dustin Johnson insists a two-shot advantage at -11 is far from insurmountable at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

World number three Dustin Johnson (11/10 – WGC-Mexico Championship Outright) says he is refusing to get ahead of himself after opening up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Johnson made four birdies in a four-under-par round of 67 to move onto -11 for the tournament, two strokes clear of fellow American Matt Kuchar (8/1) and first-round leader Rory McIlroy (11/4).

The 2016 Open champion, who is aiming to win the Mexican event for the third time, has yet to drop a shot during his first 36 holes and it looks like it will take a big effort to overhaul him over the weekend.

However, despite being in ominous form, the 34-year-old insists he will not be getting complacent and is hoping to keep himself in contention come Sunday’s final round.

“We’ve still got 36 holes to go. I feel like I’m in a good position going into the weekend, but a two-shot lead is not very much, especially around here,” he said.

“You can make a lot of birdies, but with 36 holes to go, I’m just trying to put myself in a position [on Saturday] to give myself a chance to win on Sunday.”

Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who started his second round with back-to-back eagles, are in a share of fourth on -7 and the duo are priced at 16/1 and 9/1 respectively to lift the trophy.

England’s Ian Poulter and Australia Cameron Smith are a further stroke back on -6 whilst former world number one Tiger Woods (22/1) heads a group of five players sitting on -5.

South African Richard Sterne, American Charles Howell III, Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat are alongside the 14-time Major winner.

Odds subject to change.