Johnson in good shape for pot of gold

NEW YORK: Dustin Johnson enters this week’s Tour Championship hoping to make up for his disappointment at the season-ending event a year ago and said on Tuesday his game is right where it needs to be.

Johnson, who is third in the season-long points race, is one of five golfers who control their fate this week at East Lake in Atlanta where a win would secure the FedExCup title and the $10 million first-prize bonus. Johnson also controlled his destiny in 2016 but lost out on the biggest payday in golf after a poor final round.

“Feel like the golf game is in good form,” American World No 1 Johnson told a news conference in Atlanta. “Had a good practice day today. It’s a golf course that I enjoy playing.”

Johnson had three consecutive wins this year until being sidelined with a back injury suffered on the eve of the US Masters in April. He got his swagger back in the first leg of the FedExCup playoffs where he beat Jordan Spieth in a playoff.

Johnson, who will tee off in today’s opening round with Australian Marc Leishman, shrugged off any notion that a shot at a massive payday brought on added pressure during last year’s final round.

“I don’t think I felt any different other than I had a chance to win,” said Johnson. “Obviously that’s a lot of money but it’s not going to change my life. For me it’s more about winning the Tour Championship and becoming the FedExCup champion than it is about the money. That’s just a very nice bonus.” – Reuters