As Abu Dhabi gears up to welcome a host of international stars at the HSBC Championships later this week, we were lucky enough to catch up with world number one golfer, Dustin Johnson. You can catch Dustin on the course at Abu Dhabi Golf from January 18 until January 21, but for now, here’s what he had to say…
How did you get into golf?
My father was a golf professional at a club in South Carolina, so I just kind of naturally became interested in the game and have been for as long as I can remember.
What is your favourite golf course?
I have several courses that I really like, including Riviera and Pebble Beach, but I think my favourite has to be Augusta National. I just love everything about the place. The history, the drama, the patrons and how different it feels there to any other tournament we play in the year. But I also have a soft spot for any course where I have won. I like the variety of all the different courses we play over the season and obviously any course that favours a longer hitter!
What do you love the most about coming to play in Abu Dhabi?
I just really love the atmosphere of the tournament. It has that early season feeling where everyone is fresh after the winter break and excited to catch up with their friends and get back down to business. The course is perfectly conditioned, the weather is awesome and there are so many nice restaurants and places to hang out. I feel really comfortable there.
If you could give one piece of advice to our readers what would it be?
Move on after a bad shot and don’t dwell on mistakes.
Who would play in your dream fourball?
If I was being honest, I would just pick three friends and we would play a low key round on a good course with some good food afterwards…is that too boring?! If I had to pick three golfers though, it would definitely be Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.
Which of your career wins are you most proud of?
You know all the tournaments I have won are special for different reasons. My first PGA Tour title – the 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship – was pretty special. Winning my first WGC then winning a WGC in China was great. However, nothing tops winning my first Major. Without question, I love winning and am very proud of every single title I have won.
You’re one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour, how far can you drive the ball?
My longest recorded was at the par-5 16th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, there was a downhill slope and it was recorded at 439 yards. Unfortunately I don’t drive it that far every time, but I don’t pay a lot of attention to that stuff.
What’s your secret to hitting the ball so far?
I don’t over complicate things but when I want a little more distance I tee the ball up a little higher, widen my stance which sets up my shoulders on a steeper angle, making it easier to sweep the ball off the tee. Hitting it on the upswing launches the ball higher with less backspin which will give you more distance. From there, I just think about maintaining my balance and posture and turn it loose.
What are you looking forward to the most going in to the 2018 season and what goals have you set yourself?
First, I am looking forward to Abu Dhabi. I finished second there last year and the course suited my eye really well. I would love to finish one place higher at the 2018 Championship and take home the trophy. My goals are just keep working hard and focusing on each week. Of course, I would love to win Majors, especially the Masters after missing out on playing last year, but I am just gonna take it one week at a time.
What area of your game do you spend most of your time practicing?
It really depends on what’s going on out on the course and what I feel I need to work on week to week but I definitely try not to neglect any area.
