LIV GOLF LAS VEGAS

February 9, 2024

Dustin Johnson

Las Vegas Country Club

4Aces GC

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Let's welcome Dustin Johnson, the captain of 4Aces GC. You had an incredible day. You're currently sitting at 11-under, tied with Bryson for the lead. Tell us about your day.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Obviously it was a good day. Just really solid. Drove it really well. Hit a lot of nice iron shots. Gave myself a lot of looks at birdie.

A couple times I got out of position, I was able to make a nice up-and-down, which -- made a really nice up-and-down on the par-3 on the back, but other than that, I had a lot of really good looks at birdie.

Q. I know this was your first experience playing this course. What do you make of it now after two rounds here and currently in the lead?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I like the golf course. Obviously it's old school. It's narrow. You've got to drive it well. Coming off of last week, it doesn't seem that narrow. I think last week was good prep for this week because you know it's obviously really important just to hit it in the fairway. If you hit it in the fairway, you're going to have a lot of nice looks at birdie, especially if you're controlling the golf ball.

Q. You shot 8-under today; did you think coming out here that that was a number that was gettable for you?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, the course is -- obviously the greens are kind of the defense. There's some slopes in a lot of sections, but if you're controlling the golf ball, you get a lot of short irons in your hand if you're driving it straight.

I kept it between the trees pretty well the first two days and gave myself a lot of nice looks at birdie. It's definitely doable.

Q. The 4Aces are currently tied for first place. What is your strategy with the team tonight? All four scores count tomorrow.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, all the guys, everyone is playing pretty well. We just all four need to play well tomorrow if we want a chance to win.

Q. Obviously you and Bryson will be in the final group. Rahm could be the third. Is that what LIV is kind of about is having those big names on the final day in the final group?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I think any golf tournament. It doesn't matter. But LIV, obviously there's a lot of really good players that are a part of LIV. I think each week you see the best players are always in the last groups teeing off on Sunday, or Saturday, I guess, tomorrow.

Q. Having length here on a 7,100-yard course, how does that give you an advantage? Are you able to basically blast it over the trouble?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, not necessarily. It's more length -- you've still got to drive it straight. Obviously the guys playing well are the ones, they're hitting it straight and keeping it between the trees. But obviously length is always an advantage, especially if you're hitting it straight.

Q. Talk about your back nine; I think you shot 30 on the back.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I just hit a lot of nice shots. Obviously made a really good 2 on 16. Then hit a really nice shot in there on 17 to a couple feet to finish the day off.

Like I said, I feel like I'm swinging well. If I can get it in the fairway, I feel like I can hit it close to the hole.

Q. Golf is one thing, but the other day you said you hadn't made a prediction yet or a pick on the Super Bowl. Have you made up your mind yet?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No. I think both teams are obviously very good. They're both playing really well if they're playing in the Super Bowl.

I think it's going to be a really good game, and I'm not real sure who I'm going with yet.

Q. Talk about the balance between the team and the individual. How much pressure is the team? Does it feel different? What's it feel like?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: You've still got to go out and just play golf. Obviously sometimes if the team is playing well, it can kind of push you to do a little bit better if you're struggling.

Everybody needs to go out and just play well, play their game, and try to shoot a good score.