Golf Gods Alive & Well Files: DJ Wins WGC At Doral
/I believe I mentioned that J.B. Holmes ripping the course he was leading on is just the kind of thing our friends upstairs notice (a.k.a. the Golf Gods). And Bubba Watson griping about how he can't play a course after a 69? Noted upstairs.
Doug Ferguson on Dustin Johnson's first win after his six month vacation from golf to regroup.
Bob Harig of ESPN.com on how this sets up Johnson as one of the Masters favorites. Until the questions turn to DJ's leave.
"I would drink and drink to access,'' Johnson said in the ESPN interview. "The change I made is I just don't do that anymore. I definitely have given up hard liquor 'cause that was the thing that I went to ... it's been a big change.''
On Sunday, Johnson was asked point blank if ever flunked a tour drug test. "No. Thanks,'' he said.
Another question he dealt with why he hasn't been more forthcoming about his issues.
"It's personal and frankly ... it's not really anybody's business.''
Fair? Maybe. But still curious, especially when a top talent is gone for so long. If he entered some sort of rehab program, it wouldn't seem to have been for very long.
It would be easy to say Holmes and Watson handed this one to Johnson, but as Jim McCabe notes, DJ on this with his play.
Especially if you could play your weekend 36 in 69-69, hitting 26 greens and offsetting just three bogeys with a hole-in-one and seven birdies – which is exactly what Johnson did.
Linda Robertson of the Miami Herald says whatever criticisms that the fans-dressed-as-empty-seats vibe all changed with Sunday's finish. I'm not sure my remote would agree, since it was switching over to the more interesting Spotlight coverage on Golf Channel or spring training, but at least she gives the Commish reason to remember he's not a star in everyone's eyes.
A climax packed with high-stakes golf shots on every hole injected intensity into the atmosphere at Trump National Doral. The vibe had been a little too mellow over the first three days, maybe because too many fans were chilling inside the various cocktail lounges and corporate suites arrayed around the grounds, or maybe because Holmes built a cushy lead, starting with his incredible opening-round 62, which prompted Donald Trump to ask for tougher pin placements on his revamped course.
Even PGA Tour commissioner Tom Finchem acknowledged he’d heard the tournament described as “flat” and lacking “buzz.”
He heard it, but I'm sure it didn't sink in for Tom.
The highlights from PGA Tour Entertainment:
**Brian Wacker on Johnson's new dedication to life and fitness.
Johnson changed his diet and his habits, losing 12 pounds in the process. "I was getting a little chunky," he joked.
Diovisalvi said Johnson is “beyond committed”in terms of his fitness regimen. He’s up early. He works out before his round when his tee time allows it. As Diovisalvi puts it, he is “trying to really stick to what it takes.”
When Johnson was asked Sunday what needed more work in his six months away from golf, his personal life or his game, his reply was simple.
"Both.”
