Dustin Johnson Leads at Memorial

Dustin Johnson set the pace early with 10 birdies on his way to an 8-under 64 at the Memorial.

Jason Day avoided his aggressive nature to try to catch Johnson on Thursday.

One day after Jordan Spieth referred to Johnson as the most talented player on the PGA Tour, Johnson opened with three straight birdies, made three consecutive birdies to close out the back nine, added four in a row on the back and wound up with his best score in his nine years at Muirfield Village. He had a one-shot lead over Brendan Steele, who holed out for eagle on the 18th for a 65.

For a short time, the big hitter took away some of the attention from the Big Three.

But not all of them.

Day, the No. 1 player in the world and a member at Muirfield Village, played in the afternoon as the clouds began to gather. He rallied on the back nine with three birdies and an eagle, and he wound up two shots behind. That was fine with him. His 66 was his best score in competition on the course Jack Nicklaus built.

"Mr. Nicklaus told me early, `Just play within yourself.' Being patient is key out here," Day said. "When you see an 8 under, it's hard to be patient. But pleased."

Spieth's putter saved him in a scrappy round of 70.