As unstoppable as he seems right now after his wins in the US Open and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Dustin Johnson – up to world number two – intends taking a leaf out of some old playbooks by playing Irish links courses this week as part of his preparation for next week’s British Open at Royal Troon.
Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, David Duval and Stewart Cink were among American players who acclimatised on links courses here prior to collecting the famous Claret Jug. Johnson has previously stayed in Ireland in the week before the Open, and will again use that formula as he bids to adapt his game to the nuances of seaside golf.
In the past Johnson has included playing Royal Dublin and Portmarnock as part of his preparations. After his win in Akron, Johnson said his plans ahead of the British Open involved travelling “over early, and play some golf and hang out . . . and then I’ll head over to Troon on Sunday”.
The DJ is playing one sweet tune at the moment, with all facets of his game – from his monster drives to his short game and his putting – in harmony.
In 15 appearances on the PGA Tour this season, Johnson has won twice in 10 top-10 finishes. He has not missed a cut in that time.
“I feel like tee-to-green I’ve been really solid all year. My wedges have improved a lot. I’m getting a lot more opportunities when I’m in the fairway and I’m hitting my wedges closer than I have been . . . I just feel like the work I’ve put in with the putter is finally paying off.”
Johnson’s plan to follow the same pre-British Open preparatory formula as the likes of Woods, O’Meara, Duval, Cink et al is not one that the men on either side of him in the world rankings intend following: both Jason Day, the world number one, and Jordan Spieth, who has slipped to number three, intend arriving into Troon from the USA on Friday with the intention to work on their preparations over the weekend.
Right direction
Of his pre-Troon preparations, Day – he faltered late-on as Johnson charged by him at Akron – said: “I’m looking forward to taking the first part of this week off and trying to get some practice in, trying to get some reps in. I’ve never seen Troon before so I’m hoping when I get over there I’ll play Saturday, play Sunday, it suits my eye, and then I can play well around there because I think I’m really trending in the right direction.”
Spieth’s plans are similar to those of Day and a change to previous years when he played on the PGA Tour the week beforehand. “I plan on playing 18 at least Sunday, maybe Sunday and Monday, and then nine and nine like I do for the other Major championships.”
Rory McIlroy has opted not to play in the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and will pay an advance visit to Troon, a course he has yet to play. McIlroy will use midweek practice rounds to “sort of figure it out and see what I need to do there”.
In contrast, Pádraig Harrington is one of those who prepares to fine tune by playing tournament golf and – along with Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry, who are also exempt for the British Open – will sharpen up by playing in the Scottish Open.
Michael Hoey and Paul McGinley, who are not exempt for Troon, are also in the field at Castle Stuart. Paul Dunne, who came through final qualifying last week to book his ticket to Troon, is first reserve for the Scottish Open.
Two-time winner
Harrington – a two-time winner of the Claret Jug, at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008 – visited Troon last month and believes playing in the Scottish Open will provide the perfect build-up.
“It’s a nice warm-up course. You don’t want to get beaten up before an Open. There’ll be decent scoring but its links and you get an idea of how the ball bounces for chip and runs, putting and things like the wind and air temperature, and how it affects clubbing.
“That sort of stuff has to be re-educated and there’s no better way than with a card in your hand.”
