LIV Golf’s Dustin Johnson talks Masters prep, getting ready for Augusta National

Dustin Johnson defeated Augusta National in the fall of 2020 en route to his first Masters title.

That year’s Masters, which was postponed to the fall due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), resulted in incredibly low scores due to the mild weather in the fall. But that doesn’t diminish the fact that Johnson effortlessly waltzed around golf’s hallowed grounds.

He finished at 20 under, with a five-shot lead over Cameron Smith and Im Sung-jae. Only three other players finished at 10 under or higher, proving Johnson’s feat to be both historic and extraordinary.

Since then, Johnson has attended LIV Golf, where he won three times. As a result, his Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) plummeted, but that doesn’t mean much. Johnson remains one of the top players in the sport. Few can match his talent when he’s on.

So the former Coastal Carolina Chanticleer will compete again at this year’s Masters. No one would be surprised if he wins a second green jacket.

Additionally, the two-time major winner feels he is close to replicating the success he had in 2020.

“Obviously, I was playing very well. You know, I was playing very well all four days that week, but the signs are there,” Johnson said in a statement to members of the media. he said in a recent phone conversation.

“I feel like the game is going in that direction. Am I right there? It’s going to be hard to get back to as good as I played that week. But the more I can have a week like that, Am I playing enough right now? Absolutely.”

Like Rory McIlroy, Johnson has long been known as an exquisite driver of the golf ball. He hits country miles and often takes short approach shots, which is what he focuses on during his practice.

“I always spend a lot of time developing wedges,” Johnson added.

“[My wedges] They weren’t as sharp as when I was playing really well. I spend a lot of time on it. However, it is clear that all aspects of the game need to be addressed. ”

Long known as a ball-striker’s golf course, Augusta National prioritizes wedge play. The undulating greens and tight pin locations leave little room for error, but those who have the best weeks with irons and wedges usually end up at the top of the list on Sunday’s back nine. Masu.

Photo by: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

It was the same for Johnson in 2020, as he took advantage of the opportunities presented to him thanks to a great performance off the tee.

But last year, Johnson struggled at the 2023 Masters, which was won by Jon Rahm.

After opening with rounds of 71 and 72, Johnson completely lost his form over the weekend. Due to bad weather over the weekend, it was the final day of the marathon, with the leading team playing 29 holes.

“I didn’t play as well as I expected,” Johnson said.

“But this year we obviously started off a little bit better.” [will help]. He feels like he’s in very good shape for the game. To be honest, I’m trying a little harder. I just wasn’t satisfied with my results. I think the most important thing is to make an effort. I just wasn’t satisfied with my play. So, I would like to try a little harder this year. ”

Johnson will take a scouting trip to Augusta National before LIV Golf heads to the Blue Monster in Doral for the Miami event.

But LIV Golf has a much more limited schedule than the PGA Tour, allowing Johnson more time to train and practice.

“I train the same way all year long. In the offseason, I might add a little more weight,” Johnson said.

“You know, it’s fun being at home. And obviously, [my trainer] Travel with me everywhere. So most of the time I train on the road just as much as I do at home.But it’s nice to have time [train]. There are certain parts of the body that require special attention to do their job. ”

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Of course, with the rise of LIV golf, the world’s best players competed on separate circuits, and professional golf became mired in conflict. But just like in 2023, the Masters will serve as the first tournament of the year in which his LIV and his PGA Tour players will play side by side.

The only other tournaments this year where this is true are the other three majors.

Some say that adds to the aura of the majors, but Johnson doesn’t think so. He continues to watch golf’s greatest events the same way he always has.

“It’s still the same. We still want to win these four events,” Johnson said.

“I’d love to win every golf tournament I play. Of course, that doesn’t happen and it never will. But the majors just… they’ll always be the pinnacle of the sport.”

Aside from winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 2016 and the Masters in 2020, the pinnacle of Johnson’s career came in the spring of 2017, and he won three times before the 2017 Masters.

If you recall, Johnson fell down the stairs and injured his back, forcing the world No. 1 at the time to withdraw. Many people asked, “What if?” as he seemed unable to stop before he self-harmed.

“I don’t think about it much, other than looking back.” [my swing] I have because I worked with [renowned swing coach] butch [Harmon] That’s when,” Johnson said.

“So he has videos of my swing and stuff like that. And you know I had great preparation for that week. So we make sure to look at my swing back then and We compare and try to get back to that form. We know how well I was playing at that point, so we use that. But no, I don’t really think about it too much. .”

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.