OAKMONT, Pa. — Dustin Johnson’s last US Open win here in 2016 feels like an eternity, especially since he hasn’t competed at Oakmont since then. Now, he’s back.
At 40, and with Liv Golf now under his belt, it’s interesting to see Johnson’s evolution—or perhaps regression. His last PGA Tour win was at the Masters in 2020, the second of his career, making for a total of 24 victories. Though he scored three wins on the LIV circuit in 2022, his current world ranking has sunk to 884. So far, he hasn’t won on the Saudi tour this year, though he did finish tied for 10th in Virginia recently.
This week, he aims to recapture the glory of 2016, when he finished 4 under par. “I have a lot of good memories from that year,” Johnson shared after practicing on the front nine on Monday. “I really enjoy this course; it’s always nice to come back.” He added that being an honorary member at Oakmont is something he cherishes. “I think I’m probably their favorite member,” he joked.
However, there are questions about his recent form in majors. He tied for sixth at the 2022 British Open but only managed one top-10 finish across his last ten majors, missing five cuts in the process.
His performance at the Masters earlier this year was disappointing as well—he ended up missing the cut after a second round marred by bogeys. At last month’s PGA Championship, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, he also struggled, finishing 12 over.
“I know my score didn’t accurately show how I played at the PGA, but I did feel better than what the numbers indicated,” he mentioned, somewhat downplaying his struggles on the greens. “Golf is a funny game. My score didn’t reflect my play, but I’ve started spotting patterns in my game. It feels like I’m close to getting back on track.”
Reflecting on his recent outings, he noted, “I played solidly every day in Virginia, created chances, but I also gave away some shots that I can’t afford to do here.” He felt a sense of relief to see some improvements in his game.
When asked about his memorable 2016 win, Johnson recalled, “I hit a lot of fairways and greens that week.” He even ranked first that week for hitting greens in regulation.
He was also 18th in driving accuracy, which he credited as a major factor in his good scoring. “Driving is crucial here—it’s tough, but I’ve been hitting good drives and iron shots.”
Though it’s been nearly nine years since his victory, he believes those past experiences could still be relevant this week. “I feel good on this course, having played it a lot. It puts pressure on the driver, but I’m confident. Driving well is essential if you want a shot at winning here,” he concluded.
