Johnson likes course, his game in Hong Kong

Dustin Johnson will be seeking his second win of the young LIV Golf season in Hong Kong this weekend, and he said his game – and the Fanling Course at Hong Kong Golf Club – are in top form.

Playing for the first time in Hong Kong since 2015, Johnson got a look at the Fanling Course in a practice round on Tuesday.

“Excited to be back,” Johnson said yesterday. “It’s a great city. I actually like this golf course.

“Last time we were here it wasn’t in the best of shape. Right now, it’s in fantastic condition. I really enjoy it more, and I think – I didn’t really like it that much the first time I was here, but now the player I am, I like it a lot more and appreciate it.”

The par-70, 6,710-yard course is short by pro standards. In contrast, the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational being played this weekend at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida, measures 7,466 yards.

“I think it’s a golf course where you hit all your clubs in your bag, and there’s a lot of different ways to play every hole,” said Johnson, 39, who won in Las Vegas last month.

“If you want to hit a lot of drivers you can or you can lay back. It kind of just depends. Like I said, just depending on the wind really.”

Johnson liked what he saw on Tuesday.

“I went out and played 18 holes yesterday, so I think, like I said, the golf course is in great condition. I like the course,” he said. “I think it sets up well for me. I think it’s a really good test of golf.”

Johnson said he won’t make any tweaks to his game, despite the shorter length.

“I won’t change anything, obviously. Just trying to get more familiar with the course. But I feel like the game is in really good form,” he said.

Last week, at the LIV event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Johnson finished 27th at 5-under, 12 strokes behind winner Joaquin Niemann of Chile.

“I was really happy with the way I played,” Johnson said.