Johnson hopes problematic back holds out

DUSTIN JOHNSON cited his bad back for failing to break 80 at the Memorial tournament last month in his first event since winning the Travelers Championship to extend his career win streak to 13 years.

The injury also caused him to withdraw from the US PGA Tour’s 3M tournament before rebounding with a 12th-place finish on Sunday at the WGC St. Jude Invitational in Memphis.

“I was swinging terribly,” Johnson said. “My back was bothering me just from swinging. I didn’t hurt it doing anything. I hurt it swinging just because I was swinging so poorly.

“I rested for four days, got treatment, and then went out and practiced Monday at home. I just went back to the basics, worked on the right things and started hitting the ball well again.

“Going into Memphis, I was fine and confident. It was a golf course that I like and have played well on.

“It was really close to being really good last week. Felt like I played pretty solid.”

Johnson is hoping his sore back doesn’t flare up again at this week’s

PGA Championship, which will be played without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This week I’ve put in a lot of good work, and I feel like the iron play is definitely back to where it should be,”

Johnson said.

Johnson said some sloppy play, and nothing to do with a swing change, led to the back problems.

“I just got into a bad habit,” he said. “I was just hanging on my left side real bad and just aggravated my back, that’s all.”

Johnson says in order to claim his second major championship, he needs to make every drive count.

“I’ve got to drive it the best,” he said. “And obviously, always, you need to putt well. I think if I can drive it really well, I’ll have a good chance to win.” – AFP