Columnist image

TSN Senior Reporter

| Archive

He may be the best American golfer in the Ryder Cup and a player U.S. captain Davis Love is counting on to grab some points, but don’t expect Dustin Johnson to be giving his side any motivational speeches before Friday’s opening matches.

Although he’s the No. 2 ranked golfer in the world, Johnson isn’t a big talker or one to wave the pom-poms, although he does consider himself a leader on the American squad.

“I’d like to think so,” he said on Thursday. “But there’s so many guys on our team with Phil and Tiger and Strick and Furyk and Davis. We’ve got lots of leadership there.

“So for me, I just kind of try to do whatever I can. But with those guys I don’t really have to do too much.”

Johnson has actually done a lot on the golf course this year, including winning his first major at the U.S. Open and finishing second in the FedEx Cup.

He’s also done a lot off the course. Two years ago, although he qualified for the American team, he opted out, taking a six-month leave for “personal reasons” that some reports indicate was a suspension for failing a drug test.

Since his return from that sabbatical, his life seems to have settled. He’s established a solid relationship with Paulina Gretzky, become a father, and seemingly calmed his world.

“I think it’s paid off a lot,” Johnson said of his time away, “as you can see over the last couple of years how well my performance has been. And so to me, it was the best thing for me at that time. I can see it paying off tenfold right now.”

But he hasn’t changed his demeanour; he’s still laid back and as calm as a sleeping baby. It’s why he prefers to let his clubs do the talking, taking a back seat in the team room this week.  

“I’ve not made any speeches at this point,” laughed Johnson when asked about his oratory skills, “and probably not going to.”

That laconic approach of his also includes a short memory. All his stunning losses in majors prior to this year’s win seemed to roll off his back moments after he left the course. A lesser man may have crumbled under the defeats.

In some ways, Johnson’s greatest strength may be the fact that he has a short memory.

“Yeah, he laughed. “Or no memory.”

That’s a great asset when you’re an American playing the Ryder Cup. Johnson is 0-2 in past appearances, including being a part of the Miracle at Medinah.

“For me, I can’t speak for everyone else but the only thing that matters is this Ryder Cup,” he stated, “and going out and trying to play your best golf and get as many points as you can for your team.

“I don’t think about what’s happened in the past. I’ve just got to go out tomorrow morning or whenever I go out and play and try to play my best and get a point for my team.”

And maybe if he manages to grab five points, and hoist the Ryder Cup, just maybe then he’ll give a speech.