Dustin Johnson set to defend at Atunyote
September 30, 2009
VERONA, N.Y. (AP)—Dustin Johnson loves the forecast for the Turning StoneResort Championship: Rain on three of the next four days.
“Seeing how the two coldest and the two wettest tournaments I’ve played sofar—I’ve won both of them—I don’t mind it at all,” he said.
That initial PGA Tour triumph came a year ago on Turning Stone’s 7,482-yardAtunyote Golf Club course. Johnson endured soggy conditions and a rain delaythat even included a blast of hail that blanketed at least one green.
Four months later, he won his second event at the AT&T Pebble Beach NationalPro-Am, a tournament shortened to 54 holes when the final round was canceled dueto strong winds and heavy rain. That left Johnson the winner by four strokesover Mike Weir.
The victories injected confidence into Johnson’s game, and this year hasbeen a breakthrough as he prepares to start defense of his Turning Stone titleon Thursday. Johnson ranks third on the PGA Tour in driving distance (308.4),third in birdie average (4.08), and nearly was picked by U.S. captain FredCouples for the Presidents Cup.
“I’m a lot more comfortable out here,” Johnson said. “Last year was myfirst year and I didn’t quite understand. I’ve scheduled a lot better this year.I’m a little more organized, and as far as golf goes I’ve been better atpreparing for each tournament. The more you’re out here and the more experienceyou have out here, the better you get as far as preparing.”
Turning Stone is the first tournament of the Fall Series, which is comprisedof five events. Players are vying to finish the year in the top 125 on the moneylist to retain full exemption for 2010.
With a $6 million purse and $1.08 million of it going to the champion, it’san attractive stop, and the third rendition of the event has attracted itsstrongest field. The original field had 17 of the top 50 money leaders on thePGA Tour heading to the resort, but three—Jerry Kelly, Steve Marino, and JohnMallinger—have since withdrawn.
Johnson, 15th in earnings, is one of three players in the field who advancedthrough all four of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, along with John Sendenand rookie Marc Leishman.
Others prominent players in the field include: Ben Curtis, Rocco Mediate,David Duval, Rich Beem, Mark Calcavecchia, Steve Elkington, Adam Scott, DavisLove III, Rocco Mediate, Rory Sabbatini, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, AaronBaddeley and 2010 Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin. Turning Stone’s inauguralchamp, Steve Flesch, also returns, as does John Rollins, who won at Atunyotewhen it hosted the final B.C. Open in 2006.
Still, Johnson, an All-American at Coastal Carolina and three-time Big SouthConference player of the year in college, likes his chances.
A year ago, he birdied the final two holes, saving his best and longestdrive for last. He boomed a 357-yard shot off the tee at the 616-yard, par-518th hole, then hit his second shot 37 feet past the green and into the roughbefore recovering with a clutch chip and nerve-racking 8-foot putt to beatAllenby by one stroke.
“I’m hitting the ball well, but it’s hard to hit it close from the rough,”Johnson said. “Whenever I drive it straight, I’m going to play well, and I’vebeen driving it in the fairway the last few weeks.”
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09
Comments
Got something to say?
