Tag: Dustin Johnson

Categories
Highlights Tours

Tiger Woods after the US Masters 2020: “There’s no one more suited to that than DJ”

Tiger, a second nine like we’ve never seen from you, starting with that 10 on the 12th but
then you birdie five of your last six. Take me through what was going through your mind on the 12th hole
and how mentally tough you had to be to finish the way that you did.
TIGER WOODS: Well, I committed to the wrong wind. The wind was off the right for the first two guys, and then
when I stepped up there, it switched to howling off the left, which ‐‐ and the flag on 11 was howling off the left. I
didn’t commit to the wind, and I also got ahead of it and pushed it, too, because I thought the wind would come
more off the right and it was off the left, and that just started the problem from there.
From there I hit a lot more shots and had a lot more experiences there in Rae’s Creek, and then as you said, this is
unlike any other sport in which you’re so alone out there and you have to figure it out and you have to fight and no
one is going to pull you off the bump and you just have to figure it out, and I did coming in.


Question: You said the conditions are getting tougher out there, winds coming from all over the
place. As our leaders start coming down this stretch, what do you think we can expect to see in terms of
the most challenging spots?
TIGER WOODS: Depends on timing. You just have to time it up. You have to commit and time it up with the right
wind. Hopefully the guys, they’ll be talking to their caddies and try to get a beat on it because it just started coming
up now, and it is all over the place. It’s going to be a bit of a challenge for the guys there on the back.


Q: Interesting round out there today?
TIGER WOODS: Yeah, to say the least. I’ve hit a few too many shots than I wanted to today, and I will not have
the chairman be putting the Green Jacket on me. I’ll be passing it on.

Tiger Woods: “That’s what makes this game so unique and so difficult mentally”


Q: How much pride do you take in the fight back after 12?
TIGER WOODS: That’s part of our sport. As I was saying in there earlier, this sport is awfully lonely sometimes.
You have to fight it. No one is going to bring you off the mound or call in a sub. You have to fight through it. That’s what makes this game so unique and so difficult mentally. We’ve all been there, unfortunately. Unfortunately I’ve been there and you just have to turn around and figure out the next shot, and I was able to do that coming home.


Q: How would you sum up the year?
TIGER WOODS: Well, starting out the year, it was like any other year, but we all quickly realized that this year is
unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. We’re lucky to have the opportunity to have our sport continue to go.
Unlike any other sport, our sport is actually growing right now. We never ‐‐ we’ve been struggling with participation
and the growth of the game for a number of years, and unfortunately this is an event and circumstances that’s
allowed our game to grow and flourish. Yeah, but at the beginning of the year normally we would have this tournament in April. We didn’t have that opportunity, but there have been so many people that have put the work into giving us this opportunity to have this event here in November, and all of us who have been a part of it who have been here and been on these grounds participating or just being involved were so very lucky.


Q: How would you sum up your year?
TIGER WOODS: My year? As I said earlier, the year didn’t start off ‐‐ it started off like any other year. I had a busy December and then the normal ramp‐up to the West Coast Swing and then all of a sudden it came to a halt.


Q: Is it any better knowing that this tournament is actually close the next time? It’s less than five months away. It’s normally such a long way for the Masters.
TIGER WOODS: Yeah, it is normally nine months, and trust me, I know because I’ve had to deal with it, trying to go for four in a row and all the media and dealing with all the different circumstances leading into it. Hopefully if everything continues the way it is going right now, then we’re able to have this event in April.


Q: Given what you go through to get ready to play, obviously it’s the back and just the prep, working out, do you fear the motivation not being there to do this, to keep going, to try to push? Do you expect it to still be there?
TIGER WOODS: Well, there are days when mentally I just ‐‐ it’s harder to push than others just because
physically it’s just ‐‐ my body just has moments where it just doesn’t work like it used to. No matter how hard I try,
things just don’t work the way they used to, and no matter how much I push and ask of this body, it just doesn’t
work at times. Yes, it is more difficult than others to be motivated at times. Yes, because things just ache and have to deal with things that I’ve never had to deal with before.

Photo: Getty


Q: DJ looks like he’s in good shape to win the Green Jacket. You’ve spent a lot of time with him. What impresses you most about him from the time you’ve spent with him?
TIGER WOODS: Well, as we’ve all seen, he’s an amazing athlete. He’s one of the first guys to ever bring
athleticism to our sport. DJ has just an amazing ability to stay calm in tough moments, and in order to win this
event, and we all know as past champions how hard it is, the emotions we have to deal with out there. There’s no one more suited to that, I think, than DJ.

Categories
PGA Tour

“DJs” winning interview after his FedExCup victory

Dustin Johnson after his FedExCup victory. (Photo: Getty)

MICHAEL BALIKER: Dustin, this was your 11th trip to East Lake this week. You’ve been chasing this trophy for a long time. How satisfying is it to finally get it done?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, it’s definitely very satisfying to be the FedExCup champion. Obviously coming in here I was in first with a two-shot lead, and I needed all those strokes that I could get. It’s a tough golf course, but I feel like I played pretty solid all week.

Obviously yesterday was a great round, and then obviously today was — I played — got off to a great start and I played really well coming down the stretch.

Yeah, it was a tough day, tough golf course, and I’m definitely excited it’s over and that I can celebrate a little bit now instead of — it was a grind out there. But I’m very proud to be the FedExCup champion.

Q.  What was the level of concern with your game leaving here last year and how does it feel to go from finishing last here last year to now winning this year?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don’t even remember what happened last year. That was a long time ago. I was playing a little better coming in this season.

“Being a FedExCup champion is something that I really wanted to do”

Q.  Were you nervous today?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I was nervous. I always get nervous because it means something. Yeah, I mean, I get nervous on the first hole, kind of settled down a little bit, and then obviously the back nine definitely could feel it, just because there were a lot of really good players around me and they were playing well.

So I knew I was going to have to shoot a good score on the back nine if I wanted to win.

Q.  Paul Azinger said a long time ago that only two things would really rattle a player, playing for cash or playing for prestige. Which one meant more to you today?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Probably the prestige for sure just because being a FedExCup champion is something that I really wanted to do. I wanted to hold that trophy at the end of the day. It was something that I wanted to accomplish during my career, and obviously I got one of them. Now I’m going to try to get me another.

Q.  There’s a lot of big names on the trophy. Were you kind of annoyed that yours wasn’t on it?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: A little bit, but like I said yesterday, I think a couple times there I didn’t really have control of what was going on just because of my play, but obviously today I was in control of winning the trophy or not.

If I played well, I was going to win; if I didn’t, I wasn’t going to. I like that situation a lot better.

Q.  Can you talk about how important that putt was on 13 and your emotions when you banged it off the back of the cup?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, obviously I hit my — obviously the drive went just in the left rough there and I hit a good shot right where I wanted to, just short right of the green.

But it was just one of those — my ball was sitting in the first cut. I thought I was going to catch it clean and didn’t and it came up short. Yeah, that putt was definitely kind of the turning point for me there on the back nine. You know, obviously it gave me the confidence and kind of kept the round going in the right direction.

Stepped up, hit a really nice drive on 14; hit some really quality shots really the rest of the way in. That was a big putt.

Q.  When you look at what you’ve done this post season, you’re exactly one shot away from being absolutely perfect, obviously, in the playoff which you didn’t really have much control over in that situation. Can you characterize this run compared to some of the other runs you’ve had in your career these last few weeks?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, feel like the game is in really good form, playing some solid golf, and obviously contending every week. I’m playing probably some of the best golf I’ve ever played.

Like I said, there’s plenty of room for improvement.

“It’s more about the trophy”

Q.  Obviously it’s a big amount of money and I’m sure it means a lot to you, but I’m just curious if you can think back to a time in your career when there was an amount of money that might have been a lot less that really changed your life, that really might’ve mattered in terms of whether it was your career or just whatever, paying back sponsors or anything that you might have — where that money would have really had a huge impact on you even if it might have been a lot less.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, absolutely. When I went through all three stages of Q-school and got my TOUR card I think they gave me like a $25,000 check. Yeah, I thought I was rich because I didn’t have but a couple hundred bucks in my bank account probably.

Then I went to the first tournament in Hawai’i, I think I finished 10th, and I don’t know, it was a hundred grand or something.

So yeah, that was big, and obviously that was a lot of money to me.

Now obviously I’m very thankful for FedEx and the amount of money they donate for us to be whoever is the FedExCup champion, but it’s not about the money for me. It’s more about the trophy.

Q.  Was there a time back say 10, 12 years ago where you had to get over the idea of thinking how much money a missed putt would cost? Is that an important part to being successful, to not think about the money even though it’s a lot?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, at this stage of my career I’m fortunate enough where I don’t need to think about that. It’s more — it’s all about winning and the trophies. The money is not — I don’t really care about that. I want to win tournaments, and I want to win trophies.

Q.  Sounds like you talked to Wayne over the weekend; can you maybe share the insights of that conversation that you guys had?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: He was playing golf and I asked him how he was playing. He said he was hitting it pretty good but Janet was yelling at him because he wasn’t playing good enough that was about the extent of the conversation.

Q.  You addressed this a little bit, but was this maybe more important in some ways to you given the five strokes — obviously wanting to win the FedExCup and so forth, did it take on any greater significance in that regard to you?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I didn’t really understand. Sorry.

Q.  Did you need this win in your eyes?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, yeah, I needed the win. Last week I had the lead going into the final round. Played a really good solid round, made a great putt to get into a playoff, but ended up losing in the playoff.

Having a five-shot lead today, it’s something, yeah, I needed to finish it off, especially give myself a lot of confidence going into the U.S. Open here in — what, it starts in 10 days or something, or less.

Obviously got a couple days to celebrate with Paulina and the kids, and then got to get back to grinding again.

Q.  These last four weeks you and A.J. seem to have been especially dialed in in your routine on the greens, and I think there might have been a couple adjustments made in how you guys are going about things. I wonder if you could kind of explain that and just what role he really played in this run that you’ve been on here recently.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, A.J. is a big part of the game. Obviously he’s my brother. We’re a good team. He reads the greens well, and a lot of times, too, I know we’re doing well when — you know, because I started using the line at the PGA on the putter when I was putting, and so he’s been doing the AimPoint for a while.

So I know when I line it up and we’ve got it in the same vicinity that we’re doing a good job. He’s done a great job over the last four weeks, four tournaments, and I’m glad to have my brother on the bag with me.

“He’s going to be on my bag for a long time”

Q.  You talked about needing this win and things like that, but from him being an unproven guy out here who had never caddied on the TOUR until now, how much do you think he’s kind of validated himself as being worthy of being out here and being one of the top caddies in the game?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think from the first time he came out he was — he played golf growing up. He played basketball through high school and college, but he was always a decent player.

Yeah, I mean, it didn’t take him long to catch on. He’s a very good caddie and he would do well for anybody, but he’s going to be on my bag for a long time.

Q.  Have you played Winged Foot?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I have not played it.

Q.  What have you heard about it if you have heard about it, if you’ve asked questions about it?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: That it’s a very good golf course, difficult but fair.

Q.  How would you compare the way you’re playing now with the spring of ’17 when you were blowing through Riv and Match Play and Mexico and things like that?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It’s similar. It’s getting there. I think I was playing really good then. Obviously I’m playing very well now. Like I said, I feel like I can play better, though.

You know, at times I’m firing on all cylinders, but there’s times where I’m not. I’m playing good enough, though, to where I can keep it where I still can give myself a chance to win.

Compared to spring of ’17, almost there.

Q.  Kind of along those lines, it’s kind of exhausting to get through this stretch and have to do all these virtual interviews and stuff like that —

DUSTIN JOHNSON: But thanks for all your questions. (Laughter.)

Q.  But the fact that the U.S. Open is coming up, the fact that we still have the Masters, are you kind of excited now the way that fits into this weird season?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I am. I am excited. Obviously I’m playing well. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the game, so I’m really looking forward to the next obviously couple months.

But then I’m also — after that I’m looking forward to some time off. It’s been a long stretch, but it’s made it a lot easier playing well, that’s for sure.

MICHAEL BALIKER: Thanks, Dustin. Congratulations.

(FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports)

Categories
Team USA

PGA Championship leader Dustin Johnson is looking for his second major title

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot from the 15th tee during the third round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

JOHN DEVER: Good afternoon. Welcome back to the 2020 PGA Championship here at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. Pleased to be joined by Dustin Johnson, who just is joining us after posting a 65, 5-under par today. He is 9-under par for the championship and is currently at the top of the leaderboard.

Eight birdies today on what probably would not be described as a vulnerable golf course. What part of your game was clicking? Tell us a little bit about that.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I putted really well. That was key. But I hit a lot of good shots to give myself some good looks because the flags are tucked. The greens are firm and fast. So I did hit a lot of quality iron shots.

Tomorrow I think I need to go — I definitely need to hit some more fairways, because it’s really tough playing this golf course from the rough. Obviously the bunkers, too, are very tough. A couple — had a few nice up-and-downs out of the bunkers, but also a few poor ones.

Q. You are here in a major championship again and you’ve been in contention many times, but this time, obviously no roars. A lot of people are within a few shots of you. What are you going to do tomorrow about looking at scoreboards, kind of trying to figure out what is going on as the day unfolds?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I’m going to try my best not to do that. All I can do is go out and play my game and shoot the best number I can. I’m going to just try and go out and shoot as low as I can tomorrow just like I did today. You know, just take what the golf course gives me and just keep on going because, you know, it doesn’t really matter what other guys are doing. All I can control is myself.

Q. Curious, you get that double-bogey on 9. What are your thoughts going to 10 tee knowing the back nine has really been difficult this week?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I should have never hit it in the left bunker, is what I was thinking. I knew it was a bad spot. I actually went down a club not to get there, and I misjudged the lie a little bit. I didn’t think it was going to come out very good, and it came out way better than I thought it was, and I hit it in the one spot I didn’t want to hit it in. It’s just one of those things.

The golf course is tough. You’re going to make a score — obviously a bogey would have been a lot nicer, but I knew I was playing good. I was putting good. I just needed to keep on going and put it behind me.

Q. We’re hearing reports: Did you lose your yardage book?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did. I think — it’s got to be in the bottom of my bag but I didn’t want to take all my clubs out on the golf course. But AJ had an extra one, so we were fine.

Q. Following up on that, when did you realize you couldn’t find it, and what’s the difference, I guess, between the two books?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Nothing. I just used a regular yardage book. I use it more so I can get the yardages out of the fairway and where the flag is. But my brother had an extra one, so it was perfect.

JOHN DEVER: Thank goodness for brothers.

Q. Just to be clear, he had an extra one from this golf course, though, right?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, it was from last week, but it worked out well. (Laughter.)

Q. Wanted to ask you, you’ve had a number of chances going into the final round of a major. What’s the difference in how you look at the opportunity tomorrow compared with when you were younger, when you had a chance at either Pebble, Whistling or St. George’s or any number of other ones?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, those, I was definitely younger. I have been out here awhile now. I’ve been in contention a lot, and I’ve got it done a lot of times. Tomorrow, it’s no different. I need to be out — I’m going to have to play good golf if I want to win. It’s simple; I’ve got to hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. If I can do that tomorrow, I’m going to have a good chance coming down the stretch on the back nine.

Q. Is it almost better that there’s about a billion people within two shots of the lead, instead of one or two?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, it really doesn’t matter. I feel like I have a chance no matter where I am on the leaderboard starting tomorrow. Obviously the guys, they still have quite a few holes to play, the guys behind us.

I’m going to be in a good position no matter what, and you know, tomorrow I’m just going to have to go out and do what I did today. Just get it done.

Q. You’re looking for your second major title. A lot of guys who are in the thick of this are looking for their first. How much can you use that to your advantage?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, yeah, I definitely have experience in this situation that definitely will help tomorrow. I’ve been in the hunt a bunch of times in a major. I’ve got one major, so having that experience is definitely going to be beneficial tomorrow.

You know, but it’s one of those things. Still going to have to go out and play really good golf. This is a tough golf course. Greens are getting really firm. They are fast. So I think the wind is going to blow again tomorrow, so it’s going to play difficult.

I look forward to the challenge, and you know, I will definitely be relying on a lot of that experience that I have.

Q. You’ve been asked a little about the back nine, which has been giving most players trouble. Looks like you shot 31 on the back. Curious your take on how much of a role that will play tomorrow and how difficult that can be, and specifically, 16, 17 and 18 to have a short par 4, windy par 3 and obviously the closing hole. What do you think of that stretch?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, the whole golf course is tough. I mean, you’ve got to put your ball in position, but yeah, obviously depending where they set the tees up tomorrow on 16 and the flag, it could be a hole where you could possibly make a two if you need to, or you know, but on 17, again, it’s a par 3. It’s not too long, but you still have got to hit a quality golf shot if you want to get it close to the hole. That green, it sits out there in the wind all day, it’s really firm. Obviously 18 is just a really good hole. You have to hit a really good tee shot into the fairway there if you want to give yourself any chance.

JOHN DEVER: Thank you, sir.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Categories
PGA Tour

Dustin Johnson talks to the media after the second Round of the Charles Schwab Challenge

Dustin Johnson: "The TOUR has done a great job!" (Photo: Getty)
Dustin Johnson: "The TOUR has done a great job!" (Photo: Getty)

THE MODERATOR: We will go ahead and get started. First of all, welcome back. I know it’s good to be at the 2020 Charles Schwab Challenge, but that said, you’re making your first start back there at Colonial since 2014. Obviously some time has gone by. Have you had a chance to get out and see the course? And just your thoughts on being back at Colonial.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I got out and played 12 holes, 13 holes yesterday. Yeah, the course is in good shape. It’s exactly how I remember it. But yeah, I mean, obviously I haven’t been back here. It just hasn’t fit in the schedule, but obviously with everything that’s going on, being the first tournament back, it was a perfect time to come back and play here.

THE MODERATOR: We’re asking everybody how you’ve spent the last few months. We’ve seen a lot of you on TV and so forth, but kind of bring us up on speed on how you’ve been keeping your mind and game fresh.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, the first six weeks or so, I didn’t do a whole lot of golfing. I spent a lot of time with family, Paulina, a lot of time on my boat, did a lot of fishing. But obviously the last few weeks been grinding pretty hard trying to get the game ready to come out here and play at Colonial.

Q.: Dustin, if you could just give us an idea of a couple of moments you’ve experienced since you’ve been here that remind you that this isn’t exactly a normal week, even though we’re back to playing golf.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, the biggest thing is having no fans for me. But besides that, obviously we get our temperature checked when we pull in and asked a few questions about if we’ve been in contact with people with COVID-19. You know, just obviously the safety precautions that the TOUR has taken, those are obviously a lot different than what we’re used to.

But the fans would probably be the biggest thing. But besides that, everything to me seems pretty normal as far as it’s a TOUR event, you see you walking around, pretty normal — actually you’re always around.

Q:. Sorry about that.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, it’s okay. I don’t mind. I like seeing those great shirts you come out with every day.

Q.: Did you do the test before you traveled?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did.

Q.: Was that awkward at all?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No. I mean, you just spit in a tube and the doctor watches you and then you seal it up.

Q.: Would you rather spit or have something stuck up your nose?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don’t care, whatever works. It’s fine with me. Neither one of them were bad. The spit one took a lot longer than the one going up your nose. Obviously the spit test wasn’t as uncomfortable, but the other one was faster, so I think I’d go with the quicker one.

Q.: I had a question for you expanding on the fan experience. What do you think it’s going to be like — I know these practice rounds are generally quiet anyway, but the prospect of maybe jarring an eagle chip on sinking the winning putt on 18 and hearing nothing but crickets, what do you think that’s going to be like as you kind of look forward to the week?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I’ve thought about it a little bit. I think it’s going to remind me a lot like junior golf except without the TV cameras following behind you. Yeah, it’s just going to have to be something we adjust to. It’s going to be different. There’s not going to be as much energy, especially out there on a Sunday if you’re around the lead coming down the stretch. But you know, it’s still a big tournament. You know, we’re still playing for the exact same thing we were before, and there is a lot of people watching. I still think you’re still going to be nervous, you’re still going to get those juices flowing coming — especially on Sunday coming down the stretch. But yeah, it’ll definitely be weird. There won’t be any noise out there.

Q. Even though it was just an exhibition, the charity thing that you did obviously at Seminole, was that a little bit of a taste of that to some degree since it was obviously pretty sleepy and quiet around there?
DUSTIN JOHNSON : Yeah, definitely, it was something to — it helped to play in a match with how it’s going to be out here. It was definitely a good experience. But yeah, it’s just something we’re going to have to get used to, you know. Just happy to obviously start the season somewhat normal and then hopefully we can get the fans back out here as soon as possible.

Q.: Can you just tell us what you missed most while you were gone and maybe something that you didn’t think you’d miss but that you noticed you did?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Just the competition for me. Just being out here, seeing all the guys, that’s probably the biggest thing really. But it was really nice to actually be at home and spend a lot of time with the family.

Q.: Regarding the no fans thing, can you maybe give us a couple of examples where the fans have actually had an effect on your golf, one example perhaps where they’ve been rooting for you and have pulled you through to the win? Another example where you’ve been up against say Tiger or Phil and you felt the crowd rooting against you?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, for the most part I feel like the fans have always been really good to me. Even playing with Tiger or Phil, I still feel like I get enough fans out there where it doesn’t feel too lopsided. But you expect if you’re in a group with one of them that probably 90 percent of them are rooting for Tiger or Phil. You know, it’s something that you’re used to.

But yeah, I don’t really have any instances where I feel like I was just totally getting rooted against. But I’m definitely going to — it’s definitely going to be different, like I said, coming down the stretch on a Sunday with the tournament on the line.

Q.: Can you give us an actual specific example of when you’ve actually felt the crowd pull you through and when you felt them rooting for you and that’s brought out your best golf?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, I think for me, for most of my wins, just feeling the crowd there for you and rooting you on. It definitely helps coming down the stretch. It’s something for me that makes you focus more, and it’s sometimes — especially if you make a bogey or something or do something on a hole coming down the back nine where you might get a little mad, and the crowd is there pulling you on, sometimes they can take your mind off of it.

Q.: I was just wondering if you could talk about getting back to competitive golf. It’s one thing to play a round with your buddies and things like that, even guys as talented as you guys are, but what’s the difference now that you’re out there where everything is going to matter, every stroke, every shot, that you don’t get any do-overs or gimmes or anything.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, it’s definitely going to be different. Obviously we haven’t played competitively for, what, three months now, right around there. It’s definitely going to be a little — that first day is going to feel very important. Obviously you can’t win the tournament on the first day, but you can put yourself in a good position, so just to get off to a nice solid start and play a good solid round is going to be very important. But just to kind of get that competitive — the rust — the competition rust is a lot different when you haven’t played. Yeah, for me just getting out there on the first day and getting a good solid round in is going to be very important. But yeah, you cannot simulate tournament golf at home, no matter how hard you try. Yeah, it’s going to be — it’s definitely going to be different.

Q.: I was wondering if you could talk about the course a little bit more. What do you think the numbers are going to be like this week with such a long layoff, and how do you think the course will play?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think the golf course, a lot of it depends on the wind. If it’s real windy, the golf course plays very tough. It doesn’t look like it’s supposed to blow too hard this week. But yeah, I mean, the rough is up pretty good, so you’ve got to drive it in the fairways. Any time you play a golf course with Bermuda rough, it’s really important to hit the fairways. For me that’s a big key this week is just driving it in the fairway.

Q.: I just wonder, some people are surprised that so many golfers are so keen to get back playing competitive golf. Obviously coronavirus is still a thing, and health and safety is still such a big subject. Why do you think so many of the guys were so keen to get back playing, and what gave you that element of comfort that everything was going to be fine?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, I think that the PGA TOUR has done a great job with putting a lot of things in place to make sure that we stay as safe as possible, and playing golf, being outside, it’s pretty easy to social distance and stay away from people. A lot of the guys, we’ve kind of all been around each other a little bit, especially the ones that live back in Jupiter. We’ve played a lot of golf together and been around. My brother is my caddie, so I’ve been around him the whole time, so I’m not worried about anything like that.

But like I said, the TOUR has done a great job with putting a lot of safety measures in place, so I feel about as safe as I can being out here.

Q.: You kind of talked about Colonial just a minute ago, but just for your game, it’s not really a course you can overpower. How much of a challenge is it for you? Obviously we all know your length and whatnot, but just to play the course and maybe take what it gives you, so to speak?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, it’s not — it’s one of those golf courses where — there’s a few holes where you can try to maybe take advantage of, but it kind of all depends on the wind and where the flags are because the greens are kind of small when they tuck them in the corners. You want to have full shots in, so you don’t want to be hitting little short pitches.

Yeah, so I like the golf course. Like I said, I think if I can drive it in the fairway, no matter what club I’m hitting, driver, 3-wood, 3-iron, whatever it is, if I can play out of the fairway, I’m going to have a lot of success around here.

THE MODERATOR: Dustin, we appreciate your time and have a great week. Welcome back.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Categories
Team USA

PGA Tour: Dustin Johnson Talks 2020 AT&T Pro-Am and Recent R&A Distance Report

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the fourth hole during a practice round prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club on February 05, 2020 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional Dustin Johnson speaks about making his first start since the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the 2020 AT&T Pro-Am touching on subjects such as the potential conception of a new premiere golf league.

PGA Tour: Dustin Johnson addresses the media prior to the AT&T Pro-Am

Leaderboard & Tee Times: 2020 AT&T Pro-am

JACK RYAN: We would like to welcome Dustin Johnson to the interview room here at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Dustin’s a two-time champion making his 13th start at the event. Dustin, if we could just get an opening comment on your return to Pebble Beach.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I always look forward to coming to this event. It’s one of my favorite events we play all year. I like all the golf courses. This year they’re probably in the best shape I’ve ever seen them. It looks like we’re going to have a little bit better weather than last year, so that’s a plus. But, yeah, it’s a lot of fun, I enjoy playing here, got a good partner, so we have a good time.

JACK RYAN: You’re making your first start since the Sentry Tournament of Champions where you finished T-7. How would you assess the state of your game right now?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It’s pretty good. I had a nice week last week. Obviously, I played on the European Tour last week. But, you know, really solid event and yeah, this will be my second event this year, so. But it’s a place where I’ve had a lot of success. I feel like the game’s in really good form and I’m really looking forward to this week.

JACK RYAN: We’ll take some questions, please.

Q. So you played here as a rookie in 2008, I think, right? That would have been your first year. Did you like it right away, because it’s not suited for some people in terms of patience or what have you.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did. I enjoyed it.

Q. Why?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I just like the golf courses. I think they all set up pretty well for me and I’ve liked them ever since the first time I played here. And, yeah, I enjoy the event. It’s different, but I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve had, obviously, it helps having a good Am partner, too, that you enjoy being around because you do spend a lot of time together out there during the week.

Q. Did you play with –you’ve had —
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Joe Rice.

Q. Joe Rice.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Who I played with for a few years, yeah.

Q. And then you kicked him out and got Wayne?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: We got, yeah, I got Wayne. I got stuck with Wayne, so… could be worse.

Q. Long hitter that you are, was curious if you had read or heard anything about the USGA, R & A report on distance, first of all, just to ask if you saw it.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I saw the e-mail and then I looked at how long it was and I did not read it. I mean, to be honest, I really did. I looked at it and it was like 18 pages or something and I said, yeah, I didn’t even try to read it.

Q. Longer than you hit it. But you kind of know what the gist is, basically, right?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I didn’t read any of it.

Q. Well, they’re essentially saying that the ball goes too far. Does it really matter? Whatever you did — my point being, whatever you did to the golf ball, if you let it keep going or if you dialed it back, like Jack Nicklaus says, 10 percent, 20 percent, whatever, would the longest hitters still be the longest hitters?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I don’t see that changing. And to be honest, it’s not like the scores are lower than they used to be or they’re any different, if you look at the scores, or at least from what I could tell. It’s all conditions, really. If you look at, if a course is firm and fast and it has rough, it plays hard, doesn’t matter what course it is. If it’s soft, we’re going to shoot pretty low. It’s just general, kind of the general look at things. But I mean, I don’t think it goes too far and I don’t think we make this game too easy, or it sure is not easy for me.

Q. Could you just update us on the state of your game, the areas that you’re pleased with, the areas that you think you need more work on?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Right now I feel pretty good throughout the bag. I mean, obviously, the short game and putting can always be better. But for the most part, I feel like the game’s in pretty good form right now. Yeah, I haven’t played a whole lot, but the events have I played in, I felt like I was pretty sharp. Hawaii, which was my first kind of stroke play event since the TOUR Championship was, I felt like I hit it really good, hit a lot of good shots, I did everything pretty well, just a little rusty mentally more than anything. But now that I feel like I’m kind of getting back into the swing of things, I felt like I did a good job last week, even though it was very tough conditions, especially on the weekend.

Q. I know you’ve been asked this before, but is there anything about the experience of playing — what is it about the experience of playing with Wayne that you think maybe benefits you?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, we get along very well. Obviously, the rounds are long here, we’re playing foursomes and there’s two Ams in every group, so you’re out there for a long time. So to have someone that keeps you relaxed and you have a good time and it seems like we’re laughing pretty much all day, it definitely helps and it helps for the time. And obviously, we enjoy being around each other, so that makes it for a lot of fun.

Q. Last summer you, your season did not end as you probably would have liked. What was it like going through, probably was your biggest slump of your career?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don’t know. I never really thought about it too much, to be honest. I was, obviously, I had surgery in the off-season, so the only thing I can look back at is I blame it on my knee hurting.

Q. What do you think about Commissioner Monahan playing in the pro-am this week?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think it’s great. I think it’s — he’s playing with his dad, which is really cool. I actually had breakfast with him this morning, so it was, he was excited. He said his dad’s very excited, so. But I think it’s good. I like seeing him play.

Q. Speaking of Jay, did he ask if you read his memo? It was only two pages. I’m just curious.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did get through that one.

Q. What did you think? Let me redirect the question. What do you know or have you been contacted by the people doing the Premier Golf League and have you given it any consideration?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, I’ve definitely — I’ve heard about it a little bit. I kind of, I know the gist of things. But, I mean, obviously it’s a good, you know, they have some ideas, whether it’s going to work or not, who knows. I’m happy playing on the PGA TOUR though.

Q. The inquisition is just starting here, if you know what I mean.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: We could do this afterwards if you would like, Doug.

Q. No, we’re fine. Do you think you’re compensated well or do you think you can be compensated more? I’m talking about strictly TOUR earnings, not so much endorsements.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, I do just fine.

Q. Your memo would be like two sentences, wouldn’t it?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: It would get the point across though.

JACK RYAN: All right. Well, thank you, Dustin and best of luck this week.

Pebble Beach, California

February 5, 2020

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

Categories
Team USA

European Tour: Dustin Johnson Talks Title Defense Ahead of the Saudi International

UNSPECIFIED, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 28: Dustin Johnson of the USA talking to the media prior to the Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club on January 28, 2020 in King Abdullah Economic City , Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

PGA Tour professional Dustin Johnson speaks with the media prior to the start of the Saudi International about what it will take to defend his title along with 2020 season goals.

European Tour: Dustin Johnson addresses the media prior to Saudi International title defense

TOM BENBOW: We welcome back our defending champion, Dustin Johnson to the Saudi International. The current world No. 5 was victorious last year with a total score of 19-under par.

Dustin, how does it feel to be back?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I’m feeling good. I’m really pleased with how I played last year, and I’m excited to be back in Saudi Arabia for this tournament.

TOM BENBOW: You’ve defended a trophy once before in your career. Do you think about that coming into an event as defending champion?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Any time you’ve won somewhere, yeah, you’re looking at it, but every event that I go to, whether I’ve won there or not, I’m always trying to win it.

But you know, it’s more like the process. Like I want to get myself in contention. I just want to give myself a chance to win on Sunday. I feel like if I can put myself in a position to have a chance to win going into the back nine on Sunday, then I’ve done what I wanted to do that week, and you know, just see what I can do those last nine holes.

TOM BENBOW: Have you had any chance to look at how the course has developed since last year?

Full Leaderboard: 2020 Saudi International

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I have not been on the course today. I am going to get out there right after this press conference and get on the golf course.

TOM BENBOW: One more from me before I send it out to the floor. Aside from being back, you’re obviously depending your title. Was there anything about Saudi Arabia that made you want to come back, anything you did off the course, or any other reason?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, last year, met a friend that lived here and took us out on a SCUBA dive, and then so that was something I was looking forward to doing again this year. So we went out this morning and did another dive, which was really nice. It’s beautiful, the Red Sea.

Q. How do you assess last season as a whole, and what are the goals for this year?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Last season was okay. You know, definitely didn’t play quite as well as I would have liked to, especially towards the end of the year.

This year, I’m looking forward to having a big year. I feel like the game, it’s in pretty good form. Obviously I haven’t played much since Atlanta, but I had surgery in the off-season, so I’m just kind of getting back into it. Everything feels really good, and I’m excited about this year.

Q. What let you down last year towards the end?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think it was a little bit of everything. I don’t think there was just one specific thing. I think everything was just okay. It wasn’t good enough.

Q. What’s the wisest thing you’ve ever heard from your friends about being a defending champion? You may have listened to Tiger, or anything on the subject. What have you picked up?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I have no idea. But you know, obviously being a defending champion comes with, you know, there’s — you have a little more obligations, but you know, just managing your time and stuff with those obligations.

You know, just still understanding just because you won at a golf course, too, it doesn’t mean you’re going to win again. You’re going to have to work for it.

Q. The other thing I wanted to know is what did you see under the Red Sea?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: We actually saw a shipwreck. It was a really neat dive. All kind of fish, sting Rays. Pretty much what you see anywhere a lot of places in the world when you’re diving.

Q. Sharks?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No sharks today.

Q. Was it an old ship?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: It was. It was a hundred years old, I think, from what I was told.

Q. Such tragic news coming out of the states on the weekend. Did you ever meet Kobe in your golf career, and can you share with us your thoughts? Devastating news.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, he was a great ambassador of the game. You know, he was an idol to a lot of people, including me. I grew up watching him play basketball, and you know, just kind of everything he did. I thought it’s definitely tragic news.

I did get to meet him. I actually was on a phone call with him not too long ago because we’re both involved — well, he was one of the main investors in Body Armor, which is one of my sponsors. So we were on a call not too long ago.

Yeah, it just tragic news.

Q. Some reports over the weekend about a proposed Premiere Golf League. Can you ask if you’ve had any contact about what your thoughts are?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Obviously, of course, I’ve heard of it. I think it’s in the early stages, but sounds interesting.

Q. Would you require some reassurances that if you were to go for that, you could go back to the PGA Tour, or is there anything that you need to hear from them that would convince you to go with it?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think everything is in the early stages right now. So it’s kind of hard to say.

Q. When you say it “sounds interesting,” what part of it — well, let’s just go the other way. What would it take for you to basically lose your card and go play somewhere else?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, I don’t know if that’s even a possibility, but it would take a lot.

Q. When you say “a lot,” financially, or some other way?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think probably in every way you could think of.

Q. That being said, could you see 48 guys go that way?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, it’s possible for sure. I think so.

Q. Has there been any contact from the PGA Tour to the players since the start of the weekend.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: From what I was told, I got an e-mail recently. I haven’t read it yet. Probably read it right after this.

Q. Tell us about it after that?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Sure (laughter) you’ll be my first call.

Q. Last week Sebastian S�derberg played the fastest round of golfer on The European Tour. Did you see any of that online?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did not, but I do know Sebastian.

Q. He played in 1 hour, 36 minutes, he was just running around?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: What did he shoot?

Q. 75?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: That’s not too bad for playing that fast.

Q. What do you think of his decision to do that, and if you did find yourself on the first group on Sunday, would that cross your mind to go out and do that, too?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No. Well, I wouldn’t — I wouldn’t be running. But I’d probably play very quickly, especially if I was first out on Sunday. Probably wouldn’t — yeah, I wouldn’t like being first out on a Sunday. So yeah, I’d probably play pretty fast, kind of like he did. Maybe not that quick.

Q. Do you think that could — say somebody goes lower than him, do you think that might build a bit of excitement, guys might start talking about it and wanting to go lower and it might become a thing?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don’t think so. But maybe some guys want to have that record. But it’s not one I’m looking for.

Q. I have actually two concerns, my question. Maybe you’re not the right guy to ask. Is there any specific type of fitness, able to play this sport? It’s a new sport in Saudi Arabia and nobody knows about the requirements to play this game. That’s the first one. Second, I used to be a billiard champion, and once I started playing, actual lifting weights and going to the gym, all my shots were shifted and I had to re-design all my shots again. Is it the same that applies to this kind of sport; that if you start playing — lifting weights or playing a different kind of sport, you need to readjust all your shots?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, I don’t think so. There’s not a specific body type, either. If you look at the guy who is play, you know, there’s not a specific body type. And then also, lifting weights and playing, as long as you’re still — if you’re doing the right things, you know, I think if you just go to the gym and just lift weights, it could definitely hinder your game. But as long as you’re doing the right things in the gym and you continue to stretch and swing while you’re training, which is something that I do a lot, then it hasn’t really affected me. If anything, it’s helped.

Q. Pretty jam-packed season this year with the Olympics, The Ryder Cup. How important is it to get that schedule right? And is the goals Ryder Cup and represent the States in the Olympic Games?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, schedule is always a big part of your season. You sit down at the beginning of the year just to kind of schedule out to see, you know, what events fall where. You know, how you’re playing.

But everybody is different on the amount of events they like to play in a row or how many weeks they want to have off, when they need time off.

But yeah, it’s something that you constantly battle every year, making a good schedule that fits you. Yeah, obviously Olympic year is more difficult just because, you know, the way the schedule falls, and obviously it’s an extra tournament that’s in the season, so they moved some things around.

But yeah, obviously representing the United States in the Olympics is something that, you know, definitely be proud to do. But is it going to fit in the schedule properly? I’m not really sure about that, because there’s so many events that are right there and leading up to it. So you know, I’m still working with my team to figure out what’s the best thing for me to do.

TOM BENBOW: Thanks very much for joining us, Dustin. Best of luck this week.

TOM BENBOW: We welcome back our defending champion, Dustin Johnson to the Saudi International. The current world No. 5 was victorious last year with a total score of 19-under par.

Dustin, how does it feel to be back?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I’m feeling good. I’m really pleased with how I played last year, and I’m excited to be back in Saudi Arabia for this tournament.

TOM BENBOW: You’ve defended a trophy once before in your career. Do you think about that coming into an event as defending champion?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Any time you’ve won somewhere, yeah, you’re looking at it, but every event that I go to, whether I’ve won there or not, I’m always trying to win it.

But you know, it’s more like the process. Like I want to get myself in contention. I just want to give myself a chance to win on Sunday. I feel like if I can put myself in a position to have a chance to win going into the back nine on Sunday, then I’ve done what I wanted to do that week, and you know, just see what I can do those last nine holes.

TOM BENBOW: Have you had any chance to look at how the course has developed since last year?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I have not been on the course today. I am going to get out there right after this press conference and get on the golf course.

TOM BENBOW: One more from me before I send it out to the floor. Aside from being back, you’re obviously depending your title. Was there anything about Saudi Arabia that made you want to come back, anything you did off the course, or any other reason?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, last year, met a friend that lived here and took us out on a SCUBA dive, and then so that was something I was looking forward to doing again this year. So we went out this morning and did another dive, which was really nice. It’s beautiful, the Red Sea.

Q. How do you assess last season as a whole, and what are the goals for this year?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Last season was okay. You know, definitely didn’t play quite as well as I would have liked to, especially towards the end of the year.

This year, I’m looking forward to having a big year. I feel like the game, it’s in pretty good form. Obviously I haven’t played much since Atlanta, but I had surgery in the off-season, so I’m just kind of getting back into it. Everything feels really good, and I’m excited about this year.

Q. What let you down last year towards the end?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think it was a little bit of everything. I don’t think there was just one specific thing. I think everything was just okay. It wasn’t good enough.

Q. What’s the wisest thing you’ve ever heard from your friends about being a defending champion? You may have listened to Tiger, or anything on the subject. What have you picked up?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I have no idea. But you know, obviously being a defending champion comes with, you know, there’s — you have a little more obligations, but you know, just managing your time and stuff with those obligations.

You know, just still understanding just because you won at a golf course, too, it doesn’t mean you’re going to win again. You’re going to have to work for it.

Q. The other thing I wanted to know is what did you see under the Red Sea?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: We actually saw a shipwreck. It was a really neat dive. All kind of fish, sting Rays. Pretty much what you see anywhere a lot of places in the world when you’re diving.

Q. Sharks?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No sharks today.

Q. Was it an old ship?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: It was. It was a hundred years old, I think, from what I was told.

Q. Such tragic news coming out of the states on the weekend. Did you ever meet Kobe in your golf career, and can you share with us your thoughts? Devastating news.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, he was a great ambassador of the game. You know, he was an idol to a lot of people, including me. I grew up watching him play basketball, and you know, just kind of everything he did. I thought it’s definitely tragic news.

I did get to meet him. I actually was on a phone call with him not too long ago because we’re both involved — well, he was one of the main investors in Body Armor, which is one of my sponsors. So we were on a call not too long ago.

Yeah, it just tragic news.

Q. Some reports over the weekend about a proposed Premiere Golf League. Can you ask if you’ve had any contact about what your thoughts are?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Obviously, of course, I’ve heard of it. I think it’s in the early stages, but sounds interesting.

Q. Would you require some reassurances that if you were to go for that, you could go back to the PGA Tour, or is there anything that you need to hear from them that would convince you to go with it?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think everything is in the early stages right now. So it’s kind of hard to say.

Q. When you say it “sounds interesting,” what part of it — well, let’s just go the other way. What would it take for you to basically lose your card and go play somewhere else?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, I don’t know if that’s even a possibility, but it would take a lot.

Q. When you say “a lot,” financially, or some other way?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think probably in every way you could think of.

Q. That being said, could you see 48 guys go that way?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, it’s possible for sure. I think so.

Q. Has there been any contact from the PGA Tour to the players since the start of the weekend.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: From what I was told, I got an e-mail recently. I haven’t read it yet. Probably read it right after this.

Q. Tell us about it after that?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Sure (laughter) you’ll be my first call.

Q. Last week Sebastian S�derberg played the fastest round of golfer on The European Tour. Did you see any of that online?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I did not, but I do know Sebastian.

Q. He played in 1 hour, 36 minutes, he was just running around?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: What did he shoot?

Q. 75?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: That’s not too bad for playing that fast.

Q. What do you think of his decision to do that, and if you did find yourself on the first group on Sunday, would that cross your mind to go out and do that, too?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No. Well, I wouldn’t — I wouldn’t be running. But I’d probably play very quickly, especially if I was first out on Sunday. Probably wouldn’t — yeah, I wouldn’t like being first out on a Sunday. So yeah, I’d probably play pretty fast, kind of like he did. Maybe not that quick.

Q. Do you think that could — say somebody goes lower than him, do you think that might build a bit of excitement, guys might start talking about it and wanting to go lower and it might become a thing?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don’t think so. But maybe some guys want to have that record. But it’s not one I’m looking for.

Q. I have actually two concerns, my question. Maybe you’re not the right guy to ask. Is there any specific type of fitness, able to play this sport? It’s a new sport in Saudi Arabia and nobody knows about the requirements to play this game. That’s the first one. Second, I used to be a billiard champion, and once I started playing, actual lifting weights and going to the gym, all my shots were shifted and I had to re-design all my shots again. Is it the same that applies to this kind of sport; that if you start playing — lifting weights or playing a different kind of sport, you need to readjust all your shots?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, I don’t think so. There’s not a specific body type, either. If you look at the guy who is play, you know, there’s not a specific body type. And then also, lifting weights and playing, as long as you’re still — if you’re doing the right things, you know, I think if you just go to the gym and just lift weights, it could definitely hinder your game. But as long as you’re doing the right things in the gym and you continue to stretch and swing while you’re training, which is something that I do a lot, then it hasn’t really affected me. If anything, it’s helped.

Q. Pretty jam-packed season this year with the Olympics, The Ryder Cup. How important is it to get that schedule right? And is the goals Ryder Cup and represent the States in the Olympic Games?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, schedule is always a big part of your season. You sit down at the beginning of the year just to kind of schedule out to see, you know, what events fall where. You know, how you’re playing.

But everybody is different on the amount of events they like to play in a row or how many weeks they want to have off, when they need time off.

But yeah, it’s something that you constantly battle every year, making a good schedule that fits you. Yeah, obviously Olympic year is more difficult just because, you know, the way the schedule falls, and obviously it’s an extra tournament that’s in the season, so they moved some things around.

But yeah, obviously representing the United States in the Olympics is something that, you know, definitely be proud to do. But is it going to fit in the schedule properly? I’m not really sure about that, because there’s so many events that are right there and leading up to it. So you know, I’m still working with my team to figure out what’s the best thing for me to do.

TOM BENBOW: Thanks very much for joining us, Dustin. Best of luck this week.

January 28, 2020

King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports