“I didn’t expect to go 5-0,” said Dustin Johnson after he proved the quiet, let-my-clubs-do-the-talking leader for the United States Ryder Cup team.
Johnson was the only U.S. player to play in every Ryder Cup session over three days of Ryder Cup action that culminated in an eye-rubbing 19-9 domination of an out-manned European team.
Johnson became the first American player to go 5-0 since Larry Nelson in 1979.
On Friday, D.J. picked up points with two different partners. He and Collin Morikawa beat Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland 3-and-2 in Foursomes then in the afternoon Four-ball, he and Xander Schauffele beat Bernd Wiesberger and Paul Casey 2-and-1.
On Saturday, he was with Morikawa and they won the point from Casey and Tyrrell Hatton. In the afternoon Four-ball he once again partnered with Morikawa and they blasted Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, 4-and-3.
In the Sunday singles, D.J. beat Paul Casey 1-up. Johnson was the only U.S. player to go in all five sessions.
D.J. was also named recipient of the Nicklaus-Jacklin sportsmanship award for the U.S. team while Sergio Garcia was awarded the honor from the European team.
Bryson’s Terrific Start Brought Roars:
In the fourth singles match out on Sunday, Bryson DeChambeau set the tone. He drove the green on the first hole then holed a 41-foot eagle putt that put Sergio Garcia on notice from the get-go. The match ended on the 15th hole and Bryson routed Garcia, 4-and-3 and brought the U.S. point total to 14 — just a half-point from victory.
Rory McIlroy Gets His Only Win, Reduced To Tears:
Rory McIlroy had a dreadful first two days at Whistling Straits, losing three matches and getting benched for a fourth — the first time in his career that Rory sat out a session.
McIlroy responded by getting an early 2-up lead on Xander Schauffele in the first match out and Rory would eventually close out Schauffele, 3-and-2. After that match, McIlroy was overcome with emotion, tears flowed down his face. “I’m incredibly proud to be part of this team (Europe),” McIlroy said. “Extremely disappointed I haven’t contributed more to this team. I don’t think there’s any greater privilege than to be a part of this team.
“Individually, I could give a shit,” Rory said, letting his emotions run. “I’m sorry I used a curse-word,” he said softly.
For the week, McIlroy, who was expected to be one of the points leaders for Europe, finished 1-3-0.
Scottie Scheffler Chosen To Partner With DeChambeau:
It became pretty clear why Steve Stricker made Scottie Scheffler one of his captain’s picks. No one knew who Stricker could pair with DeChambeau coming into the matches but Scheffler turned out to be the perfect partner for Bryson.
“Unbelievable — the atmosphere is electric,” DeChambeau said after defeating Garcia 3-and-2 in singles. “I had a great partner (Scheffler) the first two days.”
DeChambeau didn’t play any of the foursomes (alternate shot) matches but he and Scheffler were clutch in the best-ball sessions. The tied Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in a match Europe was expecting to win on Friday afternoon. On Saturday afternoon, DeChambeau and Scheffler won four straight holes starting at the 14th to beat Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland, 3-and-1.
Daniel Berger Chosen To Partner With Koepka:
Through the first two days of team play, the selection process that put Daniel Berger on the team became quite evident — he was selected to partner and play with fellow FSU alum Brooks Koepka.
Koepka finished the matches with a so-so 2-2 record while Berger went 2-1.
Dustin Johnson Steals Post-Match Press Conference:
Comedy hour ensued at the post-match press conference for the U.S. team. After downing beers and way too much champagne from those magnum bottles, the Americans were looking a little tipsy when they met the media and D.J. was feeling no pain either.
Johnson kicked it off with a bit of a needle for victorious American captain Steve Stricker:
“Next time, let’s not tell all the Green Bay fans that you’re a Bears fan,” Johnson told Stricker to get the comedy show started.
D.J. was then was asked about his partnership, or “bromance,” with rookie Collin Morikawa, and whether he’d get in bed with Morikawa much like Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari did for their famous social photo-op in 2018.
“If you want me to, absolutely,” Johnson said. “I ain’t scared.” Johnson continued to interject throughout the presser before playfully being asked, despite his “elder-statesman” status, if he’d be able to keep up with his younger teammates in what was surely going to be a long night of partying.
“Abso-f’ing-lutely,” Johnson answered. “Next question.”
