In every grain of sand, there is many a story to be told. Dustin Johnson knows this more than anyone. Back in 2010, in inadvertently grounding a club in a bunker and incurred a two-stroke penalty that cost him dearly. But, on his return here, to the very place where such an aberration came his way, there was to be some redemption: he conjured up an opening 66, six-under-par, to muscle a way to the top.
Ironically, it was one of Johnson's playing partners, Rickie Fowler, who endured a horrid time in the many bunkers that dot this contrived links-style landscape hard by the great lake. Too often, Fowler found a sandy lie. And, on the second hole, his 11th of the round, he took four attempts to escape a greenside bunker. He would sign for a quadruple bogey seven.
Fall guy
Johnson, so often the victim, could only watch on with a sense that he had played such a role of fall guy in many a drama himself.
And, as he had in the US Open at Chambers Bay before imploding on the final hole, and as he had in the British Open before fading away over the weekend, Johnson – seemingly immune to bad memories – managed to inveigle a way to again contend in a Major. This time, the American, ranked eighth in the world, produced a round which consisted of an eagle, five birdies and a lone bogey to contend.
"He's driving it longer than anyone else right now [on tour] and driving it very straight . . . I'm trying to win my first [Major], he's trying to win his first, so we'll see how it goes," remarked Jason Day, who made up the trio.
For Johnson, though, this was another place to showcase his power and, more often than not, his accuracy. The 16th hole, a par five stretched to 573 yards for this first round, showcased all that is good about his game. He striped a drive of 321 yards and followed up with a four-iron approach from 240 yards to 30 feet and rolled in the eagle putt. Simple, really.
Wrapped up
And, for sure, Johnson is not one to get wrapped up in too much technicality. He is of the grip it and rip it school, although possessing a fine short game when in the mood. Asked after his round what had changed in his game to contend in three Majors in a row, Johnson – matter of fact – replied: “I don’t know, I think I am just playing a little better. I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine.”
In truth, the Johnson way is to keep it simple. “Today was pretty easy, I would have to say. I was swinging well and I was hitting the shots where I was looking, so anytime you are doing that it makes it easier on you. I really felt like I was super patient, focused, all day. I was controlling [the ball]. In this wind, it is tough to do. But I did a great job.”
So, again, Johnson has found a way to be at the business end of the leaderboard in a Major. Leader or chaser, which would he prefer? “I prefer to be in the lead, there’s less shots you’ve got to make up. But you’ve still got to play your game, especially in Majors.
“When you try to push to make things happen, that’s when you can run up big numbers at the Majors . . . . I want the lead, all I’m looking for is a chance to get the job done on Sunday.”
Finishing the job is what has so far proved to be beyond Johnson. But at least he has got off to the near-perfect start in pursuit of that maiden Major title.
