"Finally" - LIV Golf's Dustin Johnson fires warning to rivals ahead of U.S. Open

Dustin Johnson believes he is finally starting to drive the ball "like I normally do" ahead of the third men's major of the year. 

The former world number one was among the first players to be recruited by the rival LIV Golf League in 2022 and his form, especially in the majors, has been the subject of intense scrutiny ever since. 

Some have suggested Johnson's decline in the big four have been sharper than other stars, with the American only registering two top-10 finishes in the majors since his reported $120m move (2022 Open, 2023 U.S. Open). 

But he will head to Shinnecock Hills next month for the U.S Open with renewed optimism after finishing fourth at LIV's stop in Korea.

"It's been a couple years," Johnson said. "It's felt close, but it's like, finally I feel like it's consistent, like I'm finally driving it like I normally do. 

"So it obviously takes a lot of pressure off the rest of your game. 

"Now I can focus more on my wedges and my irons and chipping and putting. 

"I was driving it so poorly, all I was focusing on was driving it because that's one of the strengths of my game. 

"But it's nice to see the game is coming around, and it's really good."

Johnson said he felt like he turned a corner during the PGA Championship at Aronimink three weeks ago. 

Before the tournament even got underway, he declared that he still believes he is among the best players in the world. 

Johnson ranked 291st in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), though DataGolf has him 109th. 

The 41-year-old finished 44th in Pennsylvania, but he believes that he did well just to play 72 holes. 

"I just got sick, and I barely made it through Thursday and Friday," Johnson said. 

"It was everything I could do just to finish the rounds Thursday and Friday."

Johnson said he still felt the lingering effects of the illness in Korea. A 66 in the final round saw him finish two strokes behind Joaquin Niemann and Talor Gooch. 

"But I've been really swinging really nicely and rolling the putter good," Johnson added.

The 2026 U.S Open will represent Johnson's 70th major championship start in a row. 

Johnson didn't actually qualify for the PGA Championship but received a special invitation by the PGA of America. 

His 10-year exemption into the U.S. Open runs out this year so the two-time major winner will need a good finish if he wants to play at Pebble Beach next year for the 127th edition of the tournament. 

Johnson won't be the only LIV Golf player in the field at the 2026 U.S. Open. 

Former champion Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeu will join him. 

Tyrrell Hatton, Carlos Ortiz, Cameron Smith, Laurie Canter, David Puig, Lucas Herbert, Peter Uihlein, Graeme McDowell, Caleb Surratt and the aforementioned Niemann are all in the 156-man field. 

Scottie Scheffler is the favourite to win the U.S. Open, followed by Rory McIlroy. 

Should Scheffler win, he would join McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player in the grand slam club.