In a year where much of the golfing world news took place OFF of the course, and without the world number one player for much of the year the PGA Tour needed someone to step up to keep spectator interest. Many were pinning their hopes on the likes of Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy. Sure, both made some noise this year. Sometimes for their great play, sometimes for a certain someone’s fashion sense. But the real noisemaker of the year has to have been Dustin Johnson.
Already a 4-time Tour winner by the age of 26, the side-burn sporting, soul patch toting, big hitter from the golfing powerhouse of Coastal Carolina has been the talk of the Tour for most of the year. He’s become a regular practice round playing partner of Tiger Woods, who calls him “stupid long”. To watch Johnson swing a golf club is like watching a freak of nature. It’s mind boggling to watch his tall 6’4″ frame and torque he creates during his backswing. At the recent Deutsche Bank Championship, I made it a point to follow him around for a few holes and see it up close. It’s certainly something you need to see in person. On one particular hole I watched as he outdrove Ernie Els by more than 40 yards.
When thinking about Dustin Johnson, I’m somewhat reminded to when John Daly burst on to the golf scene. Back when nobody really hit it 300 yards and everybody HAD to see JD hit the driver. Well now 300 yard drives are a snoozefest, and it’s “DJ” bombing the 350 yard drives, with crowds clammering to get a look.
Johnson made news earlier this year for squandering a 3 shot lead in the U.S. Open, and faultering to a final round 82. Many thought that a mental collapse like that could ruin a player, but there was DJ again at the PGA Championship making a birdie on the 71st hole to take a 1-stroke lead to 18. But then “bunker-gate” happened and we all know how that ended up. Again, many people wondered what that would do mentally to a young player. Well apparently not much in DJ’s case, as he continually put himself in position to win week after week and it finally paid off last week at the BMW Championship, where again birdied the 17th hole and finished it off with a solid par on 18, getting that monkey off his back.
A couple weeks back I was talking to an equipment rep who has a lot of inside knowledge obviously, and he spoke about how DJ is the real deal, and that he obviously has a great mind, or no mind at all. Either can be good for golf, depending on how you look at it.
We’re starting to see a bit of a changing of the guard on the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods not even in the Tour Championship, and goes winless all year? Phil Mickelson hasn’t been much of a factor since the Masters and isn’t getting any younger. Dustin Johnson is the future of the PGA Tour, get used to seeing his name on that leaderboard of the majors. Soon the discussions will ensue about the Player of the Year award. Johnson currently sits at 2nd place in the FedEx Cup standings, with Matt Kuchar in 1st. There will be heavy debate over who could take home the POY award. I love the Kuch and all, but my vote goes to DJ.
For more by Jeff Palopoli, visit his blog at www.goodwalkgolf.com
About Jeff Palopoli
Web marketer, father, husband, and golf blogger continually searching for the golf game I used to have.
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- Day, Johnson atop rain-delayed Deutsche Bank Championship leaderboard; Woods near bottom
