Golf’s become like a blushing schoolgirl. No sooner has it developed a crush on one attractive and thoughtful young man, than another comes in and grabs our attention.
From Rory McIlroy to Adam Scott to Jordan Spieth to Jason Day to Rickie Fowler, all of whom you’d be delighted to have as your son-in-law.
However, as often happens in these scenarios, golf’s eye has been turned by the cool guy.
The one who doesn’t seem to think about much of anything. Who gives one-line answers. Looks suspiciously laidback. With some dodgy “sabbaticals” in his past.
It’s just our luck. When we have all these eloquent and articulate lads at the top of the world game, earnestly answering our probing questions, the one who is the best of the moment just gives a stupid grin and shrugs his shoulders.
Dustin Johnson’s win at Oakmont in the US Open and subsequent follow up at the Bridgestone make him the nearest thing to unbeatable in golf and co-favourite for the 145th Open Championship.
He’s presently got accuracy dialled in to that unique sweeping swing which propels the ball beyond distances that the R&A and USGA can apparently measure.
A wet, soft Royal Troon is, by common consent, made for him much more than the USGA’s contrived torture chamber at Oakmont where he won the US Open title last month.
He’ll hit driver at the first four holes; “on one I can drive it up right next to the green and same on three, four (a 555-yard par five) is driver, five-iron” he related in matter-of-fact fashion.
Johnson started his press conference yesterday by not even hearing the first question from the moderator because he was distracted by something on his iPhone. The stress and pressure of being favourite? It doesn’t seem to even enter his head.
“Honestly, I don’t care,” he said. “I mean, I like my chances, but I go into every tournament liking my chances.”
Had attitudes changed to him now he was a major champion? “I haven’t noticed. It doesn’t bother me at all. I just get more questions from you guys really.”
What about being stress of being a potenrial World No 1? “I’ll tell you if I get there.”
Dustin, came the question came with a fair degree of frustration, does ANYTHING get you stressed at all?
“Yeah, but on the golf course, not really,” he said with that disarming smile. “It’s a game. I love playing it. Definitely, I mean, for me coming down the stretch, I definitely feel nerves or stress or whatever you want to call it because I want to win and it means a lot to me.
“So I do get it, but I like it. Like I think it’s a good thing. If you didn’t get nervous, then something’s wrong because then it doesn’t mean anything to you.”
Does he feel like the best player in the world?
“I mean, I always feel like I’m the best player in the world, but that’s just me,” he continued. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in my game. Obviously I’m playing very well right now.”
He is, unquestionably, but there is no way that he, or anyone, is running too far ahead of this current crop of players. There’s a spread of outstanding talent at the top of golf at the moment and anyone of them can go on one of those runs that McIlroy, Spieth, and Day enjoyed before DJ had his turn.
Who is next? With one win, Danny Willett, not remotely considered prior to April, could join this company.
Fowler is surely not far away from a first major, Martin Kaymer can get on a roll at any time and blow a field away. Louis Oosthuizen (a snip at 40 or 50-1), Scott (four top tens, all with a chance to win, in the last four Opens) or Justin Rose (who has been here prepping for a week) should have another major by now.
Or one of the other four might seize their chance to create some separation from the pack. McIlroy, although far from in crisis mode or becoming the “Ringo” of the Fab Four as suggested by some, could certainly do with a statement of authority similar to that of Hoylake, his last Open appearance two years ago.
But this is Troon, which has a habit of producing one-off, surprise winners. A Todd Hamilton or Justin Leonard could be lurking in the wings. Or maybe someone who will continue this year’s series of first-time major winners, like South Africa’s much-fancied Branden Grace.
It’s the Open, with the usual potential to surprise, amaze, frustrate and excite. 6.30 am start, with Monty, Luke and Leish. See you there.
