Former World No.1 Johnson, 39, admits he has “a little more drive and determination” to get his game back on track this season, and that has already been vindicated with an early-season victory on LIV Golf in Las Vegas last week.
Dustin Johnson is ready to get back on his high horse again following an early-season victory on LIV Golf.
Dustin Johnson has revealed he “could have worked a lot harder” to play better golf last season, but he intends to change his focus in 2024.
Johnson finished on 12-under par to land a narrow one-stroke win over his American compatriots Talor Gooch and Peter Uihlein.
He achieved his third LIV Golf championship and broke his nine-month winless streak. Paulina Gretzky promptly welcomed Johnson as he arrived at the 18th green.
Johnson, a two-time major champion, acknowledges that his performance in the previous season was inadequate for someone of his talent, considering he only managed to secure one top-10 finish in the majors, a T10 at the US Open. However, Johnson’s plan is to regain his position of influence in 2024.
Johnson emerged as the champion in the US Open in 2016, and subsequently secured a triumph in The Masters in 2020.
As a result of that victory at The Masters, he is exempt for all of the majors this season and next despite having slipped down to 231st in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
That is of course due to LIV Golf events remaining shut out of receiving OWGR points.
The only way Johnson can pick up world ranking points is to compete in the majors.
Johnson is not just ready to compete but he wants to contend in the four big events of the season.
That all starts with The Masters in April.
Johnson said:
“Last year I didn’t play very well, to be honest, but it kind of goes with how much effort that goes into it too. Obviously I could have worked a lot harder than I did. This year, I’ve got a little more drive and determination. I don’t enjoy not playing well. I enjoy playing well and being up here and talking to you guys after the weeks over and holding up the trophy.
“The game is feeling in really good form for this early in the year, and so I’m excited for the rest of the year. Obviously got a big stretch coming up with Saudi, Hong Kong, come back, Doral, and then the Masters. I want to be in good form for the foreseeable future at least. Got a lot of big tournaments.”