Photo from Google Images
Dustin Johnson is right where he should be; ranked as the number one golfer in the world. Coastal Carolina University celebrated ‘Teal Tuesday’ with a little more pride this week because the current number one golfer in the world is a CCU alumni! I couldn’t be more proud of my college buddy and alumni! CI-NO! (Coastal Is Number One. It’s a Coastal thing.)
The Genesis Open was held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California where DJ ran away with the victory and moved him from the third best golfer in the world to the number one spot. Finally! He made it to the top!
DJ turned pro in 2007. Watching the last nine years of his career felt like the sports gods enjoyed DJ’s meltdowns. The heart breaking losses on and off the course could cause a lot of people to give up on DJ. (In 2010 he shot an 82 in the final round to blow a big lead and lose the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He lost the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straights for grounding in the bunker. Took a leave of absence in 2014 for personal reasons. And how could we forget the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay loss when he three-putted for 12 feet on the 72nd hole.
With all of DJ’s raw talent and no one who can out drive him and make it look effortless, it just didn’t make sense why DJ’s talent wasn’t playing up to par with DJ the golfer. As I would watch golf with my dad I would always say DJ just needs to win that first major and then he will be unstoppable.
And as the sports gods would align the sports stars, DJ earned his first Major win at the 2016 U.S. Open (the same day that CCU played their first CWS baseball game and then went on to win the University’s first National Championship). It was as if the weight was lifted and DJ had finally arrived on the PGA tour. DJ went on to finish in the top 10 in four of his next seven events. His consistency has been dominant. He believes in himself and seems more relaxed on the course. Having at least one tournament win in each of his first 10 seasons on the PGA Tour he joins this elite club with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
After his victory, DJ said “winning the golf tournament – that’s all I was thinking about, not the rankings. Yeah, I do believe in myself and think I’m a great player. No I wouldn’t have said I was the best in the world. But I guess I can say it now.”
Yes, you can say it, DJ! You are the BEST in world!
DJ’s past two Masters events he T-4 and T-6. His game fits Augusta and I hope that Green Jacket fits him.