Johnson and Merritt set pace, Spieth misses cut

By Mark Lamport-Stokes PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - A year after losing a playoff for the Northern Trust Open, long-hitting American Dustin Johnson was back in contention for the title as he moved into a share of the early second-round lead on Friday. Johnson, a nine-times winner on the PGA Tour, took advantage of good scoring conditions at a sun-splashed Riviera Country Club, firing a five-under 66 for an eight-under total of 134. Americans Kyle Reifers (68) and Justin Leonard (69)