TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

June 23, 2021

Dustin Johnson

TPC River Highlands

Press Conference

DOUG MILNE: We would like welcome the defending champion of the Travelers Championship. Dustin, thanks for joining us for a few minutes. Just some thoughts on being back here after specifically third round performance last year. Just some thoughts on being back to a course and event that obviously is pretty special to you.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, last year was great. Obviously I played really well and got my first victory here. Yeah, so it's a course that I enjoy playing. Obviously it's another one where if you can get it going you can shoot some low scores here.

You have to play well. Like if you're just a little bit off, the golf course is really difficult. There is a lot of slope. The rough is -- I mean, it's not -- it's pretty deep for the most part, especially on the fairways. So but it's in great shape.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to a really good week. I feel like the game is in pretty good form and it's getting better, so, yeah, pleased with that.

DOUG MILNE: Okay. You've had five Top 10 finishes obviously highlighted this season by the 2020 Masters win. One of those top 10s came at Palmetto just a couple weeks ago. Couple comments on what you're feeling most confident with as part of your game heading into the week?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, since January haven't played as well as I would have liked to, but I feel like the game is starting to come around at the right time. Obviously it's a big part of the year here coming up with this week obviously a big tournament, then the Open Championship, and then WGC and Playoffs.

So the game is in pretty good form and I'm pleased with where it is right now. Obviously continue to work on it and try to get better throughout all aspects of the game.

DOUG MILNE: Okay. With that, we'll take a few questions.

Q. Curious if you can give us some of the details of the little things that the Travelers Championship gets right and Andy Bessette's work of getting out on tour and integrating with you guys.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I think they do a great job throughout the whole experience here with the dining, just really do a good job taking care of the players and make it a good experience for not just players, but the families, too.

Yeah, I enjoy playing here and it's a great event. They do a really good job with it.

Q. I got to ask you, you played a lot of sports. How was it you didn't play lacrosse and do you have plans to maybe pick up the game?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: (Smiling.) It's a sport that I played a little bit in the backyard growing up or in the neighborhood, but not much. Honestly I don't know a whole lot about it. Me and Wayne are a part of the Las Vegas team. Yeah, it'll be fun and kind of a cool thing to be a part of.

Q. Can I just ask quickly have you seen Wayne handle a lacrosse stick a little bit?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I'm sure he's quite good it. He's pretty good with a hockey stick. Any kind of stick he does pretty well with. I imagine he could play pretty well.

Q. Did you do anything special yesterday for your birthday?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did not. I was with in the kids in the morning and then flew up here and went to the gym and I had a thing for Travelers yesterday evening, and then had dinner with Paulina and my brother and a couple people at the house.

So, yeah, nothing crazy birthday celebration.

Q. Okay. Is there one part of your game you wish you could take that next step and improve just one more a little bit to get to where you want to be?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I would say, I mean, for me it's always going to be putting. I mean, when I putt well I play well. It's pretty simple.

I feel like that's the one area -- I'm seeing a lot of consistency with it, but just if I could get just a little bit better I would be right up at the top every week.

Q. Just want to hear your thoughts on no longer being the world No. 1, and does that change the approach to your game this week?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, it doesn't. Obviously I been there for a while, so, yeah, just my play as of late hasn't been good enough to hold that position. A good week this week I think I could get right back there.

DOUG MILNE: Dustin, looks like you're a free man. We appreciate your time. Good luck as always this week.