MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 6, 2021

Dustin Johnson

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: It's my great pleasure to welcome our defending 2020 Masters champion and world ranking No. 1 golfer in the world, Dustin Johnson.

Dustin, thank you for being with us.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Thanks for having me.

THE MODERATOR: Let's start with your performance in November of 2020. It set all sorts of records. I believe you shot 65, 70, 65, 68, for a 268 20-under total, which is extraordinary. Never happened before, may not happen again, but you played beautifully and set numerous records during the tournament, and it seemed like every component in your arsenal was hitting on full cylinders.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Obviously it was a very special week, and every part of my game was working very well. I really drove the ball well. Obviously hit a lot of greens, which is kind of a -- it's a must around here if you want to play well, you hit a lot of greens. And then if you don't, you have to miss it in the right spots. But I felt like I had full control of the golf game all week, and, yeah, was able to put four good scores together.

THE MODERATOR: Would you assess your game currently. Are you ready for a repeat? Is your game in great shape?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It's in good shape. Maybe not quite as good of shape as it was in November, but I feel like it's coming together. I'm starting to hit a lot of the same shots and getting a lot more comfortable over the golf ball.

Yeah, I feel like it's in pretty good form.

THE MODERATOR: I'd like to ask a question that's probably been asked of you often about how important is winning the Masters, etc., and I know it's one of the most coveted titles in sports, but I'd like to ask it in a different reference because you are from South Carolina, you grew up in the Columbia, Lexington area. You played junior golf, you played high school golf, you played college golf, and as far as I can see, and looking in the records, you're the only Masters champion that was born in South Carolina.

With that said, has it come to a realization to you that the inspiration and motivation that you are giving to tens of thousands of kids who have grown up in First Tee or junior golf, not only in South Carolina, but throughout country, because your story is a beautiful story of growth and prosperity.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, obviously I've had a very nice career. And I tried, the best I can, to -- I have my junior tournament in Myrtle Beach and my foundation, we help a lot of junior golfers, I help out with some South Carolina Junior Golf Association tournaments.

For me it's very important to give back to junior golf in South Carolina at best I can. Obviously we're very busy, so I don't get to spend much time, but I try to help out in any way I can.

Yeah, growing up in the state of South Carolina, that's where I honed my skills in, it's definitely special to me and I try to do what I can.

Q. What have you learned about what you need to do this week?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: You're going to need to do everything well this week. The course is in fantastic condition. It's pretty firm for yesterday and today, for Monday and Tuesday. The ball's bouncing a good bit. You know, greens are rolling really nice. So definitely a lot different conditions than it was in November. Obviously the golf course played really soft then just because of the weather.

Obviously this weekend they are calling for a little bit of rain. Don't know really how much it will affect the golf course, but as of right now, the course is going to play pretty difficult. You know, but it's still the same. I mean, you've got to hit numbers and no matter if the ball is spinning back or staying in place or bouncing forward, you've still got to hit quality golf shots and land them in the spots that you want to.

But with the course being firm and fast like it is, you're definitely going to have to be a little more careful about where you hit the ball.

Q. History not always your strong suit. Do you know the three guys that have been back-to-back here?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I do.

Q. Really. I'm sorry to be surprised. Why do you think so few have done it?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It's a tough tournament to win. You've got to -- like I said, you're going to have to put four good rounds together, especially with the conditions, like normal conditions. You've got to do everything well. And with it firm and fast, it's just a really hard golf course because obviously any hole at any time can jump out and get you.

So, you know, it's just very tough to win, I mean, to win once, and especially multiple times.

Q. You and your brother seem to have good chemistry out on the golf course. Without giving away any family secrets, can you share with us the chemistry you guys have and whether it was more special to win with him on the bag?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Absolutely. You know, my brother's been on the bag since the end of 2013, and, you know, we have always been close. And he played a lot of golf as a junior, so, you know, it wasn't like he was coming in not knowing anything about golf.

But yeah, just as much time as you spend with your caddie and travel the world, we play a lot of golf at home. So it's great having him on the bag, and obviously having him caddying last year when I won the Masters was really, really special, and it's one of those things that you'll never forget.

Q. Congrats on your first Champions Dinner, but quick question. Were there any options that were close to making the cut for tonight's menu?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, I think that was kind of my -- kind of the menu that I had set from once I started kind of putting it together.

Q. Your grandfather, Art, what a great guy, and condolences. Do you have a story or thoughts on how he shaped you and Austin when you guys were growing up?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, he was always a big part of both of our lives just with sports. He was a huge sports fan. Didn't matter what sport it was. He thought he knew how to play it and he was good at it, that's for sure, even with golf. Even though I don't think he ever even hit a golf ball, he would still try to tell me how to play. That's just how he was.

As a kid and playing all the different sports, he was always there and always real supportive. So obviously definitely going to miss him. But yeah, he's in a good place.

Q. I'm wondering as you're preparing for this Masters, do you compare it to November to say that shot worked, that shot didn't?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It's still the same golf course. I mean, the shots that you hit, it doesn't really change. Just the spots where you land it kind of change depending on the firmness and where you're at or what club you're hitting. The golf course hasn't changed.

Q. What were some of the most enjoyable things that you got to do with the green jacket or some of the best reactions from people who maybe you let wear it, as well?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, I mean, obviously it's a special piece of clothing to have. But probably the coolest thing was wearing it when I was here like having dinner. For me, that was probably the coolest. I didn't really wear it anywhere or do any -- I haven't had it for that long, so didn't do a whole lot of things, especially with COVID and all, and not like we're really doing much.

But I enjoyed wearing it while it was here.

Q. Five straight Top 10s here. Switching to the fade about five years ago, do you feel like that made you better suited to play this golf course in any way, and did you draw any shots last year, hit any draws?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, on 10, but it's not really a draw. It's a hook.

But no, I think just once I started hitting the fade, it wasn't -- it's not really better suited for here. I just started driving it straighter, so I don't get into as much trouble.

I mean, that's about it. I mean, because obviously if you draw the ball, the course sets up fantastic, but for me, yeah, just hitting the fade, I just started hitting it a little bit straighter.

Q. Returning here as a champion, how has your mindset changed when you entered the property or driving down Magnolia Lane?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: The mindset coming into the week doesn't change at all. It's another tournament. I won the Masters; it was five months ago.

Coming into this week, it's a new year. It's a new tournament. So the mindset is still the same. I mean, I come in and I'm just trying to -- I'm ready for the event, but just going out and getting ready for the tournament, seeing how the course is playing, working on the shots that I need to work on, and so that's kind of the mindset. So it's not going to change.

Q. Did anybody help with you this Champions Dinner menu tonight, or did your kids have any influence on the pigs in a blanket?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No. Well, I mean, I worked with the club, Jim James. That was who helped me with the dinner.

Q. Your fans are going to be back cheering you; having a fan cheer you, in what way does that help your game?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, last year obviously was a strange year playing the Masters with no Patrons. It's definitely a whole different vibe out there this year, and it's exciting to have them back. You know, especially with the weather we've had the last couple days, it's been really nice.

Obviously having the Patrons out there, it definitely brings a lot more excitement, and it's going to be like that for the tournament this year.

Q. Seems like since the weekend at L.A. your game has not been as sharp as it was thereabouts. What went wrong or what's caused it to be good and not great, and what do you have to do? What is the one area you need to do to put it back to you where want?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think it's getting there. Sometimes playing in Hawai'i with a lot of wind, L.A. with a lot of wind, Saudi with a lot of wind, sometimes get just a little bit off. I think that was kind of for me, just my setup, and posture was just a little bit off which caused me to hit some funny shots which is kind of the difference of playing really well or playing just okay. I think that was the main thing.

But I've worked on it the last couple weeks and feel like I've played really good in Austin tee-to-green. I felt like I actually -- if we were playing stroke play, I felt like I would have played really well, just it's match play. Things happen.

But I feel like the game is starting to get really sharp again and I feel really comfortable, so looking forward to this week.

Q. Have you ever found yourself in a slump? And by that context, Rickie is kind of in one now, and Jordan seems to be pulling himself out of a three-year drought. I know you've won pretty much every year but one, but have you ever found yourself on the border of panicking when things were extended for bad play, however you define bad play, 20th maybe, I don't know?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Panicking, no. I mean, it's golf. It's a game that one day you're on, one day you're off. I've gone through some spells where I wasn't playing that well, but generally for me, I just found that if I go out and keep working at it, eventually it's going to come back around.

Obviously I don't think I've ever lost it for that long of a period of time. So don't really know how to answer that question. But no, I have not ever panicked.

Q. You talked about having nerves on Sunday. How did the early start time affect you? What would have been different if it had been just a normal afternoon start?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Not real sure because it wasn't. I mean --

Q. More time to think about it, right, if it had been in the afternoon?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, or -- definitely would have had more time. It wouldn't have been any different. I would have still thought the same teeing off at 10:30 or whatever time we teed off or 2:00. Either way I was going to feel same what I came out.

Q. Since you won just a couple months ago, do you feel like that there's less pressure to go out there and try to get another jacket?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yes and no. I mean, it's definitely -- I've won the Masters so there's no pressure on trying to win the golf tournament. But still, I want to go out and I'm defending champ, so I want to go out and put myself in a position where I've got a chance to defend my title come the back nine on Sunday.

Q. The driver hasn't been up to par for you this year compared to one of the best driving careers in golf. Are you frustrated with that club right now, and why hasn't it been great this year?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It's gotten better, even in Austin at the match play, I'm pretty sure my driving, I was leading in strokes gained driving, through the few days that I played. The driver feels a lot better. I actually went in and put the new SIM2 Max in. So I have a new driver in play. I played it in Austin, and I'll be playing it again this week. It's going a lot better and I feel like I'm driving it well.

Q. If you had to guess, today, how old will you be when you stop playing the Masters?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Until I feel like I've got no chance to win.

Q. What age would that be if you were to guess, without panicking?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don't know. I have no clue. I don't know how long I'm going to play golf.

Q. This week?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I'm going to play this week for sure. Maybe not next week, though. No, I'm just kidding. I'll be at RBC next week (laughter).

THE MODERATOR: Seeing no other questions, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here. Dustin, thank you and we wish you the very best of luck this year.