Johnson docked two strokes for untimely start at Riviera

Dustin Johnson made a stumbling start to the Northern Trust Open when he was given a two-stroke penalty after arriving late for his teeoff time on Thursday.

The long-hitting American narrowly avoided being disqualified from the tournament after running up the hill to the first tee within five minutes of his scheduled start.

According to PGA Tour officials, Johnson was on the driving range, some 50 yards from the first tee, when his group was scheduled to begin the opening round at Riviera CouCountryhtry Club.

Having been penalized for his late arrival, Johnson recorded a double-bogey at the par-five first on the way to an opening two-over 73.

A four-times winner on the PGA Tour who triumphed twice on the U.S. circuit last year, Johnson had been among the pre-tournament favorites at Riviera.

Last year, he famously fell afoul of the rules when he was penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker on the final hole of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, costing him a place in a playoff for the title.