Dustin Johnson’s comments on his shots were more informative than the actual landing spots.
On Wednesday, he reached the 18th hole at TPC Sawgrass. There was water on the left side of what is one of the most difficult closing holes in golf. He opted for a 3-wood that had a strong breeze blowing off his left. He was pleased with his score.
Johnson laughed, saying “That’s just not cutting”, when Johnson could see the ball splashing in the distance.
He requested the 7-wood club, which he had always wanted to hit in the first place. This one began on the right side and ended in deep rough near to the cart path.
Johnson deadpanted, “Yeah that’s more like,” he said. He smiled again and was soon on his way.
He is still astonished by the Players Championship. He likes the Stadium Course, and believes it suits his game. He has one top-10 finish in 12 appearances. This is a remarkable record for someone who has spent more time at No. He is No. 1 since Tiger Woods.
It doesn’t matter if that happens this week.
Johnson appeared more relaxed than he had in months, despite the fact that he is currently without a win for the longest time in his career. His last win was at the Saudi International 13 month ago. His last PGA Tour title in November 2020 was the Masters.
He said that he doesn’t play well. The simple explanation is “Not a very easy answer”. He mentioned that he was not able to improve his game because of the constant testing of drivers last season.
He said, “Just kinda frustrating year.”
Johnson did not realize that there was more to the story, and he only admitted it when asked.
Although he didn’t indicate which way he was leaning towards the Saudi-funded rival league he did, the money was so large that he had no choice but to listen. Johnson would have been the main catch for the new League Greg Norman is trying assemble.
He made a brief statement stating that he will always be loyal to the PGA Tour two days after he failed to make the Riviera cut. Johnson might have been able to let go of a significant distraction by this blow to the Saudi league.
Johnson stated, “Whenever you have something different from what you are doing, it’s going distract you.” Johnson said, “But for me it wasn’t too distracting. It could have been, but I’m not sure. That’s a question I don’t know the answer to.
Johnson is most likely to say “maybe”, but it’s usually a “yes.”
Johnson stated, “I’m content playing golf right at my level.” Johnson stated, “I wanted to be able to focus completely on golf and the PGA Tour. This was the main reason I made the statement.
Johnson is about to enter an important period of the year. He will be meeting with Augusta National one month before the Masters and will also be marrying Paulina Gretzky, his long-term partner.
This week, he has a chance show that his game is changing in the right direction. The Players Championship, which is a minor without being a major, offers a $20 million purse plus $3.6 million for its winner.
The field is strong and deep, with four players missing from the top 50. This includes Phil Mickelson who has been on a selfimposed hiatus after his public comments in which he denigrated the Saudis, the rival league, and the PGA Tour.
With little more than rumors about who will play and how much, the rival league has dominated much of the conversation.
The Stadium Course might be the next stop, with its usual high level of entertainment. As at previous tournaments, the spectators are back at full capacity. Most of them gather along the dynamic finishing stretch, which includes the par-5 16th (water to the right), par-3 17th with its island green water everywhere, and the 18th (water to the left).
Justin Thomas is currently the defending champion. He will be trying to become the first player in the event’s history to win it in consecutive years, since 1974. He has also been without a win for a full year.
The winner receives a five year exemption from the PGA Tour as well as three-year exemptions to U.S. Open, Masters and British Open. These perks are more than just cash.
Even younger players, like Collin Morikawa, are noticing the tournament’s increasing stature. He felt it was special when he arrived in Sawgrass.
Morikawa said that he has already won two majors and one World Golf Championship. “You see more guys taking deep breaths because you understand what The Players means.” “I believe I have understood in the last couple of years what it would be like to me to hoist a trophy some day.”
