Rival Golfers Backing Irmo’s Dustin Johnson in Rules Issue at US Open

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — The latest from the U.S. Open golf championship (all times local:)

7:05 p.m.

Some of Dustin Johnson’s fellow players are weighing in on a possible penalty against him for a ball that moved on the fifth green.

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler all sent out tweets calling the possible penalty ridiculous and laughable.

McIlroy was harshest, saying it was amateur hour on behalf of the U.S. Golf Association, which runs the U.S. Open. Spieth said penalizing Johnson would be a joke.

Johnson is still out on the course and no official decision has been made. But a USGA official appeared on the Fox telecast to say it looked like Johnson made the ball move, which would be a stroke penalty.

Midway through the back nine, Johnson and Shane Lowry are tied for the lead at 4-under par.
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6:32 p.m.

U.S. Open leader Dustin Johnson is heading down the back nine at Oakmont unsure of what to jot down as his score on the fifth hole.

The USGA has told Johnson it will review what happened on the fifth green after Johnson completes the final round of the tournament later Sunday evening.

Johnson was standing over a 6-foot putt for par on the 390-yard par 4 when the ball appeared to move ever so slightly. Johnson was taking a few practice strokes behind the ball when it moved just a touch. It moved again just as Johnson moved the putter behind the ball to hit. Johnson stepped away from the ball and asked for a ruling. He then made the putt and moved on to the next hole.

There was no immediate penalty given to Johnson, though USGA officials told him they wanted him to take a look at the tape after the round.