As the road to the TOUR Championship winds it's way to East Lake this weekend we leave behind the third leg of the FedEx Cup back in Indiana. The BMW Championship was contested at Crooked Stick Golf Club home of the 1991 PGA Championship where a young, talented, long-hitting phenomenon of a ninth alternate named John Daly won his first of two Major Championships. So here we are 25 years removed from that tournament and ironically a long-hitting, powerful, talented 32 year-old phenom won for the 13th time... or maybe this is number 14. Either way...
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| Photo Credit: Getty Images |
Quietly, Dustin Johnson has compiled himself quite the playing resume and a long list of victories. Did you know that only Tiger Woods (18) has more victories since 2008 then D.J (13)? Maybe, it's just me living under a rock but I haven't really realized what kind of a career he has had up to this point. Under the distraction of guys like Tiger, Bubba, Jordan and Rory Dustin has seemingly "flown under the radar" (sorry folks I had no idea how to put it). Perhaps my ignorance on how outstanding his career has been was from being a "passive fan". I admit that I have long admired his power and swing. I just love that bowed wrist of his at the top (remember folks it can lead to hooks). In my opinion, when D.J. is on there is no golfer on the planet playing the game that is more fun to watch.
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| Photo Credit: pgatour.com |
Not since Tiger Woods (in his prime) have we seen a golfer absolutely dominate and bring golf courses to their knees (like your custom characters on PGA Tour 16). While his putting stroke has been somewhat maligned in the past there is no doubt that his putting game has come a long way. Every now and then however, the old "Achilles Heel" sneaks in there. Just as a comparison going back to this past weekend. Paul Casey (the runner-up) has substantial game and isn't exactly a hitter of marshmallows (Driving Avg 294.5 yards D.J. 314.2 yards). It was something to behold seeing D.J being 30, 40 50 yards further down the fairway. Honestly, it's hard to compete when you're hitting 5 iron and the other guy is hitting a 9 iron or Wedge. Advantage... long guy. But I think that we're just seeing the beginning of what D.J. can bring.
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| Photo Credit: skysports.com |
You had to know that when he won his first Major that it would imminently open the floodgates. Near misses in other Majors were all about his education. After all the old adage is "you have to learn how to lose before you learn how to win". No doubt that he has battled his "demons" as well. But a lot of water has gone over the falls down the street since then. This week is the finale to the PGA Tour season so the question is this. Do we see the next feather in D.J.'s hat being FedEx Cup Champion? Time will tell.
Until the Next Tee!!
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