Dustin Johnson: "Driving distance IS NOT important"
The World No.1 believes distance is not important to him and hitting fairways is what matters most.
Dustin Johnson said that driving distance isn't important to him, as he looks to bounce back from his shock early exit from The Masters after failing to make the cut during his title defence.
The World No.1 was happy to be a part of the green jacket ceremony, where Hideki Matsuyama wrote his name in the history books, but Johnson was disappointed not to have put up a better fight at Augusta National.
This week, Johnson tees it up at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, a course that requires accuracy over distance.
Distance has been a hot subject on the PGA Tour over the past few years, especially with Bryson DeChambeau's new found speed and although Johnson is one of the longer hitters in the game, distance is not something he focuses on.
"For me, driving distance really isn't important anywhere," Johnson said. "It's hitting the fairways. I want to play from the fairway."
Johnson revealed that he has the power to hit the ball further, but with that comes a lack of control, something that Rory McIlroy discovered in his recent quest for a few extra yards.
"I can hit it further than I do if I want to, but I don't have control, so I'm trying to hit fairways," Johnson added.
"But yeah, this is a golf course where you can hit -- I hit quite a few drivers, but there's a lot of holes where you can't just because you run out of room or it's doglegs or whatever it might be.
"Even still around here, you've just got to drive it straight no matter what club you're hitting."
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Although Johnson didn't make the cut at The Masters, he was all smiles during the special ceremony where he got to place the green jacket on Matsuyama.
His reign as Masters champion might be over, but winning the iconic tournament back in November is something that Johnson will cherish forever.
"I mean, I would have liked to have kept it, but yeah, I've got one, so it still felt good and obviously very happy for Hideki. He played great. I think it's great for golf. It's great for him.
"Yeah, it was definitely neat to be a part of the ceremony, and I enjoyed being their champion for five months. I don't care how long it was for, it's still cool. I'm always going to be a Masters champion."
