Bogey-free Dustin Johnson takes full command at Chapultepec

Sky Sports Golf, 5pm Saturday

Dustin Johnson is on course for a second WGC-Mexico Championship title after forging a two-shot lead through 36 holes at Club de Golf Chapultepec.

Johnson, who triumphed in the inaugural edition of this event two years ago, followed a first-round 64 with a Friday 67, going bogey-free throughout. He found 17 of 18 greens in regulation and tops that statistic for the tournament at the halfway stage.

The former world number one is extremely comfortable on this layout and has not needed to putt well to get into pole position. It was a similar story in 2017 when he fended off Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm to claim the trophy, and Johnson finished seventh on his title defence last year.

It is difficult to imagine Johnson suddenly losing his form over the weekend and the pre-tournament 11-1 chance arguably deserves to be shorter in the betting than his current best-price of 5-4. He has already got a 2019 victory on the board – the Saudi International at the start of this month – and played well after a lacklustre opening round in the Genesis Open last week.

Rory McIlroy is also enjoying a solid campaign and the Northern Irishman had a spring in his step when going three shots clear early in round two at Chapultepec. A four-putt at the ninth hole was an ugly show-stopper, though, and the vulnerabilities of the modern McIlroy were further exhibited down the stretch.

McIlroy missed a three-foot birdie putt on the 15th, then from 90 yards with his approach to the final hole, his wedge-shot finished more than 43 feet away from the cup. Just when it seemed McIlroy was taking control of the tournament, his old bugbears of poor putting and wedge woe came back to haunt him.

McIlroy is obviously still well in the hunt from a share of second place, but Johnson can approach the weekend in more relaxed and confident mood. The leader is the most attractive outright bet with two rounds to go.

Expect former world number one amateur Patrick Cantlay to outclass Jake McLeod and David Lipsky in the 5.15pm threeball. Cantlay, a top-20 finisher in six of his seven starts this season, fully deserves his short price against weak opposition on a course which rewards his tee-to-green solidity.

Outright recommendation
D Johnson
4pts 5-4 general

Threeballs recommendation
P Cantlay
3pts 5-6 general

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