If there’s any doubt that Dustin Johnson came ready to play at the Tour Championship, all you had to do was watch him play on Thursday at East Lake.
Same awesome D.J. with his same formula for success — drive it long, find it, hit solid irons, good wedges, make some putts.
The game has gotten that simple, that basic for the guy who won two weeks ago at the BMW and picked up in the first round where he left off.
“I felt really relaxed out there, felt I had a good mojo going on all day,” said Johnson, who simply sauntered his way to a four-under par 66.
Sure he’s tied with Hideki Matsuyama and Kevin Chappell, but when Johnson gets it going, those guys and most everyone else is simply not in his class.
Conditions were perfect, the course was perfect, the nines were reversed to finish on a par five that has eagle possibilities.
Most of the top five responded. Johnson led them all.
Patrick Reed was the only one of the top five in FedEx points who floundered. He’s No. 2 behind Johnson and opened with 73. Adam Scott (No. 3) shot 69, Jason Day (No. 4) shot 67 and Paul Casey (No. 5) had a 68. All five control their destinies this week. Win and win the FedEx Cup and the $11 million plus in cash. That simple.
A couple of other big names stepped up. Defending champion Jordan Spieth shot 68 despite a bogey-double-bogey start that left him three-over par after just two holes. “Stayed patient,” Spieth said afterward. “I’m confident on these greens.”
McIlroy had his early problems, opened with a bogey then suffered back-to-back doubles at the seventh and eighth but four straight birdies starting at the 12th propelled him to a 31 coming home to salvage his day. “I’m right in there, I’m happy with the way I played,” said McIlroy after his back-nine rally.
But it was Johnson setting the table and sending out the challenge to the rest of the field.
“I’ve been way more consistent this year,” Johnson added.
And that’s what will make it tough for everyone else this week.
