“This win could open the floodgates for DJ. It’s going to be hard to hold him back now”

Well, what a performance that was from Dustin Johnson, who was head and shoulders above everyone else at Augusta National. He’s the best golfer in the world, and ever since he’s flattened his wedges out – like Rory Mcilroy should do – he’s been in a different class. Three years ago, he was in the same position but he fell down the stairs on the eve of The Masters and was forced to pull out. It took him a while to get back to his best after that, but that’s exactly where he is now. He’s the best player on the planet by far at this moment in time.

Not only did he win the Green Jacket, but he broke the Masters scoring record in the process. Let me tell you, 20-underpar around that layout is some going, even with the soft conditions. All the talk pre-tournament was about Bryson Dechambeau, but he got his strategy wrong. At Augusta, power is beneficial, yes, but you also need finesse – two things Johnson has in abundance. He hits it miles off the tee, but he has control and he’s a great wedge player now. Huge credit to him for spending so much time working on that area of the game.

After Johnson bogeyed the 5th hole, the gap at the top had been closed to just one shot, but you never really felt like he was in too much trouble. You always thought he had another gear to go to, and once he birdied the par-3 6th after a brilliant approach, he never looked back.

I looked at Cameron Smith on the 10th tee and he seemed a little bit startled, like a rabbit staring into the headlights, but I was hugely impressed by his performance. If you’d have told him he’d shoot four rounds in the 60s at Augusta, I’m sure he’d have thought he’d be the winner. Sungjae Im was also sensational, and maybe we’re going to see another Asian Major winner in the not-too-distant future. Sadly for those two, and Dylan Frittelli, another impressive debutant, they ran into DJ in imperious form. He had the championship in control from the moment he played the first four holes of his third round in four-under-par.

He was assisted in that regard by unexpectedly poor weekend performances from the World No.2 and No.3, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas. I can see those guys flying out of the blocks in five months when The Masters returns to its normal April slot, as they will feel they have a point to prove.

I also think Rory Mcilroy will pitch up with a spring in his step. Yes, his first round was a concern – it may be the Grand Slam pressure, or perhaps the fact that he hasn’t won a Major in six years and he’s more aware of that than anyone else – but you don’t shoot 14-under in three rounds at Augusta unless you have some serious game. He’s my pick to land the Green Jacket in April.

As for DJ, this win could open the floodgates. If I think back to how he played when I first started covering him, the changes have been incredible. It’s not just the aforementioned wedge game, but also his strategy, too. I think his brother and caddie, Austin, has played a big role, not just in terms of his calming influence but also the skill with which he reads the greens. I think DJ leans on his brother a lot and Austin deserves major credit for what he brings to the party.

Johnson has now won 24 PGA Tour titles, including two Majors. Getting that second is so significant, because he’s been tied on one for a long time with a number of golfers who, frankly, aren’t anywhere near his league. What’s more, he has the game to win the USPGA Championship and the game to win The Open Championship. And where is it next year? Royal St George’s, where he was runner-up in 2011 and could have been champion had it not been for a semi-shank out of bounds on the par-5 14th in the final round.

His goal will be the Career Grand Slam and he has a great opportunity to do it – I think he’s got a 50/50 chance. Only five people have done it in golf’s history, which shows you how hard it is, but he’s put himself in position to give it a go and good luck to him. It’s going to be hard to hold DJ back now.