David Lingmerth made a blistering start to his second round at the US PGA Championship before a double-bogey ensured he relinquished the outright lead at Whistling Straits.

The world number 45 was just one shot behind overnight leader Dustin Johnson when he teed off on Friday after carding an opening 66.

With Johnson not starting his second round until 1.20pm local time, Lingmerth birdied three of the first six holes to take a two-shot lead over the American on a warm morning in Wisconsin.

Lingmerth made a statement of intent by moving level with Johnson courtesy of a birdie three at the first, then moved clear at the summit with another birdie at the third before rolling in a 12 footer at the fifth to stretch his advantage to two shots.

His momentum was halted at the par-three seventh, though, where a double-bogey ensured he dropped back level with Johnson at six under.

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth carded steady one-under first rounds of 71 and the top two players in the world picked up just one shot in the opening eight holes starting on the back nine on Friday.

Spieth made birdies at the 11th and 16th, but also dropped a shot at the 12th, while McIlroy – returning from an ankle injury which ensured he was unable to defend his Open title – made a solitary birdie at 16.

Open champion Zach Johnson, playing in the same group as McIlroy and Spieth, put a disappointing first round of 75 behind him by making birdies at the first three holes to move to level par.