Golfer Johnson seeks rare back-to-back Masters feat

Dustin Johnson. Pic/AFP

Top-ranked defending champion Dustin Johnson barely spent five months with his green jacket -- during a Covid-19 pandemic no less -- but it's time to keep it exclusively at Augusta National. Johnson won last year's Masters with a course-record 20-under par 268 last November after the tournament was delayed from April due to the pandemic that has limited his moves with the famed apparel. "Probably the coolest thing was wearing it when I was here like having dinner," Johnson said.

"I didn't really wear it anywhere. "I haven't had it for that long, so didn't do a whole lot of things, especially with Covid and all, not like we're really doing much. But I enjoyed wearing it while it was here." Augusta National rules say winner's green jackets must be kept at the club, except the reigning champion gets to take his where he likes until the next Masters. The only way Johnson will get more time outside Augusta National will be to win again, and while he has the long-driving game to make it happen, even he admits how tough that will be.

"It's just very tough to win once," he said. "You've got to put four good rounds together. 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." Only Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo have won back-to-back Masters titles. Johnson has only one US PGA top-10 since his Masters win, sharing eighth in February at Riviera, but he also won the Saudi International in February and likes where his game is at as Thursday's first round looms.

"I feel like the game is starting to get really sharp again. I feel really comfortable," Johnson said. "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. I feel like it's in pretty good form." Last November's rain-softened layout is replaced this week by a firm and fast course that will challenge every area of a player's game. "You're going to need to do everything well this week," he said. "Course is in fantastic condition. It's pretty firm. Ball's bouncing a good bit. Greens are rolling really nice.

"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." Having a reduced number of spectators pleases Johnson after fans were banned last year. "It's definitely a whole different vibe out there this year," he said. "It's exciting to have them back. It definitely brings a lot more excitement."

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