DJ wants to put on a show

Johnson: happy to be in Korea

Big-hitting Dustin Johnson is determined to show Korean golf fans there is more to his game than length off the tee.

The American star – currently the third longest hitter on the PGA Tour, averaging more than 307 yards per drive – is making his Asian debut in this week’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

Told that Korean fans knew him more for his driving power than his all-round game, Johnson said he would try to change that. “I obviously want to come out and contend and I’m here to win the golf tournament,” he said.

“I’ve been hitting it really well these past two days and I’m starting to get a little more comfortable with the putter, which is probably what has held me back a little bit so far this year.”
Dustin Johnson Quotes of the week

“So, hopefully, on Sunday, I’m going to be around the lead and have a chance to win. It’s good to come out to Korea and play for my fans over here and let them see other parts of my game besides the driver.”

Happy

With three top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year, including second place at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Johnson said he was happy with his game.

“It’s getting better each week and I’m looking forward to this week,” he said. “I’ve been hitting it really well these past two days and I’m starting to get a little more comfortable with the putter, which is probably what has held me back a little bit so far this year.

“It’s finally starting to come around. I’ve been working hard on the putter, so I’m looking forward to getting out there this week and maybe rolling in some putts.”

Johnson, 26, is one of golf’s most exciting talents. Currently 12th in the world rankings, he already has four victories on the PGA Tour, including two last year, and now wants to win on other continents.

The American admitted it would be a good thing if more PGA Tour stars ventured overseas.

“I think it’s important to get out and play,” he said. “Obviously, the European players are more travelled, they play more events over here in Asia and also play some in the States, too.

“We get comfortable playing on our tour, but you can’t blame us. I think it’s the best tour – a lot of people do. It’s hard to get the guys to come over here to play but, you know, it’s important for us to come over and play a few times a year to acknowledge our overseas fans.”

Caddie

Johnson also insisted the search for a new caddie was not distracting him from his game after splitting from his bag-man of three years.

The American dropped Bobby Brown last week and admitted their close friendship may have got in the way of their performance on the golf course.

Johnson said he would take his time to find a permanent replacement for Brown, and he will tee off this week with a caddie from his club manufacturer TaylorMade.

“The search for a new caddie’s been going really good,” he said.

“I’ve got a lot of guys interested in working for me, I’ve got a few different ones lined up for the next few weeks. It hasn’t really been a distraction at all.”

“I’ll be looking for somebody I get along with on the course and enjoy spending time with, but as far as Bobby goes we’re still going to be really close friends.

“He’s kind of like a brother to me and I think that was one of our faults – maybe we’re a little too close.”

Brown was on Johnson’s bag when he threw away good chances to win two majors last year.

A triple-bogey on his way to a final round of 82 saw Johnson surrender a three-shot last-day lead at the US Open at Pebble Beach and slump to finish outside the top 10.

At the PGA Championship he led Germany’s Martin Kaymer by a shot going into the last hole of a playoff when he failed to realise he was in a bunker and grounded his club, incurring a two-stroke penalty.

Contenders

Johnson is one of the leading contenders at the 2.2 million Ballantine’s Championship, which begins on Thursday at Blackstone Golf Club near Seoul.

Other stars in the elite field include world No.1 Lee Westwood, three-time major winner Ernie Els and Ryder Cup duo Ian Poulter and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

YE Yang – Asia’s first ever Major winner – leads a strong Korean challenge that also includes teenage sensation Noh Seung Yul, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and Kim Kyung Tae, a three-time winner in Japan last year.