DUSTIN JOHNSON
The golf champion shares his thoughts on finding calm, Hublot watches and snagging the aisle seat.
DUSTIN JOHNSON IS the number two golfer in the world. In 2020, after his Travelers Championship win, he also became the fourth player in history to win a Tour title in each of his first 13 seasons. That’s a feat accomplished only by Johnson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods. The 37-year-old South Carolina native, who now lives with his family in South Florida, is also one of the longest drivers on the circuit and has been annually ranked since 2008. To date, his swing has achieved 24 wins on the PGA Tour and two majors, putting more than US$71 million in prize money into his pocket. It has also caught the attention of brands such as Adidas and Hublot, which both signed him as a long-term ambassador. After undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage this year, Johnson had some extra free time during recovery to tee up his other passions. He’s even working on mastering a new game, far off the green.
What have you done recently for the first time?
Dustin Johnson (DJ): I haven’t done it yet, but I’m going to fish in my first marlin-fishing tournament in the Bahamas.
What, apart from more time, would make the biggest difference to your life?
DJ: I’m pretty happy with my life but, obviously, winning more golf tournaments and maybe having another kid.
What in your wardrobe do you wear most often?
DJ: My workout gear.
What do you most crave at the end of the day?
DJ: Netflix. Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of time on the couch in the last year.
How do you find calm?
DJ: Going out on my boat and spending time with my kids and Paulina (Gretzky, Johnson’s fiancee). I like to go fishing and diving. I have a 41 Bahama and 76 Viking Sportfish.
Who is your guru?
DJ: Wayne Gretzky (Johnson’s future father-in-law).
What songs are currently in your head?
DJ: Wasted on You and Cover Me Up by Morgan Wallen.
What have you added recently to your collection?
DJ: I just got a new green Hublot golf watch. It’s cool and really light. I don’t use the counters for keeping score, but it’s a neat feature.
What is your exercise routine and how often do you do it?
DJ: I train every day, everything from Olympic lifts to a lot of golf-specific stuff. I’m still doing a lot of rehab work. I’m usually at the gym for an hour and a half a day. I ride the bike for half an hour and then I’ll train.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
DJ: I would like to be able to play the guitar. I’ve always been kind of drawn to it, but I’m horrendous.
Where do you get your clothes?
DJ: I like jeans from J Brand, Hudson and Citizens of Humanity. Most of my suits, shirts and shoes are Prada. That’s where I get all of my dress-up clothes. I also like sneakers. I have a few hundred from Adidas. I’ve had a partnership with them for 14 years, so I have quite a collection.
What’s your favourite seat on a plane?
DJ: Aisle. I usually sit in the first seat on the right on NetJets.
Which are your regular tables in the US?
DJ: When we are in LA, we always go to Nobu in Malibu or La Scala in Beverly Hills. At home (in South Florida), we go to 1000 North. It’s open to the public, but upstairs they have a members-only section.
Are you wearing a watch? How many do you own?
DJ: I’m wearing the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang. I own 15 Hublot watches. The Big Bang is my go-to. I also have a few more at the store I need to go pick up. I have a few other watches, but I’ve put them aside for my kids.
When was the last time you completely unplugged?
DJ: When I went to Baker’s Bay in the Bahamas.
What’s your favourite hotel?
DJ: The Bellagio in Vegas.
Whom do you admire most and why?
DJ: Golf-wise, growing up I was always a big fan of Davis Love and Fred Couples. Michael Jordan is my favourite basketball player. And, obviously, Wayne (Gretzky) is one of my idols, and I feel fortunate that I now get to spend a ton of time with him. We play golf together and he’s pretty decent. He’s a 10 handicap. He could be a lot better if he wanted to be, but he just enjoys playing.
What’s always in your hand luggage?
DJ: Extra chargers and cords; allergy medicine, a Z-Pack, B12 and vitamin C; my watches; a Theragun massager and a redlight machine that helps with inflammation. Four or five pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses. I always have a pair of sweatpants, a hoodie and a T-shirt because I’ve lost my luggage a few times. I still do it now even though I fly private.
What is the car you are most attached to?
DJ: My Range Rover.
Wine of choice?
DJ: I like a good Napa Cabernet or a Bordeaux.
What’s your most treasured possession?
DJ: My Masters and US Open trophies.
What causes are important to you?
DJ: I have a foundation, which is the Dustin Johnson Foundation, and junior golf is a big focus. We support a lot of initiatives that try to get clubs in kids’ hands through outreach, through schools and sponsorships.