DJ in a spin: Can World No. 1 Dustin Johnson restore his game at The RBC Heritage?
Having ended 2020 in sensational form, Johnson’s 2021 campaign is sliding in the wrong direction as he prepares to tee it up at Harbour Town Golf Links.
The bump in the road
Johnson thrashed a third round 61 on his way to victory at the Travelers Championship in June, the first sign that something special was on its way - then a back injury derailed the train.
The sweet spot
Another blistering Saturday performance, this time a third round 65 at Harding Park in the PGA Championship, earned him a one shot lead heading into the final round, but he couldn't quite convert, eventually finishing tied second behind Collin Morikawa.
A week later there was no mistake. He closed out The Northern Trust with rounds of 60-64-63 for a ridiculous 11 shot victory and only an inspired Jon Rahm could prevent him going back-to-back a week later in the BMW Championship before he closed out the 2019/20 season with more triumph in the Tour Championship.
The deceptive start to 2021
A slow start at the Tournament of Champions prevented him from challenging for the title, but T11th was no disaster and a few weeks later he earned a second career victory in the Saudi International.
For Dustin Johnson, the childhood dream turned into a lifelong reality. He's a Masters champion. #themasters pic.twitter.com/HiQj2vKKDe
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 5, 2021
It was a fifth win in 12 completed starts, a run that included 11 top 12 finishes.
Backslide
The numbers
A Harbour Town fix?
This week
Paddy Power price Johnson 11/1 to win the tournament outright and 25/1 to claim the first round lead.