Back after first major win, Johnson again seeks top form at Oakmont
Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson signs autographs for fans during a practice session ahead of the 125th US Open at Oakmont, where he won his first major crown in 2016 (Warren Little)
Nine years after capturing his first major victory at Oakmont, Dustin Johnson returns to the formidable layout trying to recapture the form that made him so special back in 2016.
The 40-year-old American, who also won the 2020 Masters, called Oakmont the hardest course he has played on Monday but says his 2016 US Open victory boosts his hopes when the 125th US Open begins Thursday.
Advertisement
"I have confidence in this golf course because I know I played well," he said. "This week puts a lot of pressure on the driver. I feel like I'm driving the ball really good right now.
"You definitely have to hit it in the fairway if you want a chance to win around here."
Johnson finished on four-under 276 for a three-shot victory in 2016, solving the iconic course by avoiding its dense rough.
"I drove it really straight. I hit a lot of fairways. That was the only reason I shot that well," Johnson said. ""Seems like it's tougher this time around, but that's just maybe with the little bit of added length."
Advertisement
Johnson has won at least once in each of the past six years and three times in three years since jumping from the PGA Tour to Saudi-backed LIV Golf. But he hasn't won since 2024 in Las Vegas.
"I don't feel like I've slipped any. My scores haven't reflected, but it is a really fine line," Johnson said.
"For me it's always really close to being good, but just getting back there and keeping it consistent. Over the last couple months I'm starting to see a lot of patterns and the game feels like it's coming back into good form."
Johnson said he doesn't see more pressure to perform well in majors because he plays in LIV Golf, where a lack of world ranking points limits potential qualifying for majors.
Advertisement
"Not really. It's still a major. It's still the same amount of pressure no matter where you're playing," Johnson said. "I'm looking forward to playing in it this week and hopefully can contend."
This week marks only the second time Johnson has returned to Oakmont since his debut major win, the other occasion being to accept an honorary membership in the club.
"I'm probably their favorite member because I never come," Johnson said.
"It's really nice to be back. The course is just as hard as I remember, if not harder. I like coming back here. A lot of good memories from that year."
js/rcw
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
32 minutes ago
- New York Post
Chase Johnson, only black player in US Open field, looks to grow game with APGA Tour
OAKMONT, Pa. — If you're looking for a lesser-known player for whom to root at this week's U.S. Open, Chase Johnson isn't a bad option. Johnson, who competes on the Advocates Professional Golf Association, a circuit that provides opportunities for minority players, got into the field as the last of the 156 in it. Advertisement He was involved in a five-for-one playoff for the last spot at the Columbus, Ohio, final qualifier, but ended up as the first alternate — ahead of PGA Tour winners Eric Cole, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler. He got into the field when Bud Cauley became fully exempt via the Top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking as of June 9. Cauley was one of the six qualifiers in Columbus. Advertisement With Tiger Woods his idol growing up, it's not lost on Johnson that he's the only black player in the field this week. 'That's one of the missions of the APGA Tour, which is great,'' Johnson said. 'I was able to kind of rebuild my platform a little bit out there on that tour starting in 2023, after I lost my Korn Ferry Tour card. Guys are getting great out there, and Willie Mack [another APGA player] played in the Open last year and qualified. 'It's just a matter of time. Like all these Pathway guys, like their version of PGA TOUR U, is developing some really strong players. We're going to keep on working on it, but hopefully I can continue to build my platform and build that platform for other players to just continue to grow the game.'' Chase Johnson, who qualified for the U.S. Open, hits a shot on the 13th tee during his June 11, 2025 practice round. Getty Images Advertisement Johnson wasn't daunted at playing against established PGA Tour players in the qualifier because he's played against these players since he was a youth. 'I definitely was the underdog in the playoff, but I didn't feel it like that way at all,'' he said. 'We all played together on Korn Ferry for two years. Then being on the Cobra Puma team, I've gotten to know Rickie to a certain extent over the last couple years, and then did an event for Tiger's Jr. Invitational last fall with Max. So. there was some familiarity with all the players.' Johnson noted he's even competed against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Chase Johnson Johnson competes on the Advocates Professional Golf Association, a circuit that provides opportunities for minority players. Getty Images Advertisement 'Scottie and I are the same age, and I've been playing against him since we were juniors,'' he said. 'Obviously, he's figured something out a lot quicker than I did. But eventually I'll get to the point that I want to be at.''
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Bill Belichick speaks on Max Johnson's recovery during June media availability
Bill Belichick speaks on Max Johnson's recovery during June media availability Can Max Johnson overcome the odds and start one final season of college football? The UNC football program made one of college football's top additions ahead of its 2024 season, snagging quarterback Max Johnson in the transfer portal. Needing a Drake Maye replacement, North Carolina found its answer in the former LSU and Texas A&M starter. The Tar Heels also carried Conner Harrell on their roster, but Johnson's experience was too much for a bench role. During UNC's 2024 opener, a 19-17 win against Minnesota that came down to a missed field goal, an injury cut Johnson's season short. No one knew what injury Johnson initially suffered during the game, but reports later revealed a broken right leg. Johnson returns for one final season in 2025. On Tuesday during media availability at the Kenan Football Center in Chapel Hill, Tar Heels first-year head coach Bill Belichick delivered an update on Johnson's rehab – and it's a promising one. "Max is doing, doing very well," Belichick said. "His rehab has been long, and I have a lot of admiration for him. It tough injury, but nobody's worked harder than he has, and he certainly is able to do a lot more than he was last spring. So we'll see exactly where he is when things start, but it's a whole lot closer, and we certainly expect to see him out there. So it's been very encouraging." Johnson struggled against Minnesota's defense during the August 2024 season-opener, completing just 12-of-19 passes for 71 yards and throwing an interception, but Johnson did score North Carolina's lone touchdown on a 3-yard scramble. There will be an intense competition for UNC's starting QB job this season. The Tar Heels paid $4 million – over two years – in NIL money to land South Alabama's Gio Lopez, while also recruiting 4-star Bryce Baker out of Kernersville, N.C. Will Johnson enter his final season of college football as North Carolina's starter? His success at past stops points to yes, but that answer depends on Johnson's recovery. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Forbes
39 minutes ago
- Forbes
U.S. Open 2025: Top Amateurs Poised To Make The Cut
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 09: Amateur Jackson Koivun of the United States plays a shot during a ... More practice round prior to the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 09, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) The U.S. Open remains one of the rare stages in professional sports where elite amateurs are given the opportunity to compete directly alongside the best professional golfers in the world. No amateur has captured the U.S. Open title since Johnny Goodman triumphed at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois, in 1933. While it remains unlikely that an amateur will hoist the trophy in 2025, several of the game's top-ranked young talents are in the field and they're ready to test their game against the pros. Here are three amateurs to watch: Jackson Koivun (a) Currently ranked ahead of Phil Mickelson in the overall power rankings, Koivun is a sophomore at Auburn University and one of the most promising young talents in amateur golf. He made the cut in his PGA Tour debut at The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village and finished runner-up in the 2024 NCAA Individual Championship. In 2025, he made the cut in both PGA Tour events he entered: the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. With proven success in signature events and the ability to handle challenging layouts, Koivun is a strong contender to play into the weekend. CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 27: Michael La Sasso of the University of Mississipp chips onto the 16th ... More green during the quarterfinals of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 27, 2025 in Carlsbad, California. (Photo by) Ben James (a) Ranked No. 3 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), James was named the 2024 Ping Player of the Year. Statistically, he's gaining 1.86 strokes on the composite professional tour average including players from the PGA, DP World, Korn Ferry, Japan, and China Tours and hovers near parity with the PGA Tour average. James also averages 306 yards off the tee, a key advantage on longer, more demanding U.S. Open setups. At a venue like Winged Foot, similar length proved pivotal in Bryson DeChambeau's 2020 victory, an encouraging precedent for James. Michael La Sasso (a) Coming off a win at the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Individual Championship, La Sasso enters the U.S. Open with momentum. Ranked No. 10 in the WAGR, he's known for his dynamic spine angle at impact and raw power. However, his strokes gained relative to the PGA Tour field lag behind those of Koivun and James, which may make making the cut a tougher task. He'll need a strong start to contend into the weekend. While the odds of seeing an amateur win the U.S. Open remain slim, it's been 93 years since the last occurrence, the trio above represent the best chance for the amateur ranks to make noise this week. Making the cut at a major is no small feat, but for Koivun, James, and La Sasso, it's well within reach.
