AUGUSTA, Ga. — When Dustin Johnson won the Masters on a mild November Sunday in 2020, it not only elevated his status on the tour but it gave him a victory in a tournament that he dreamed of playing as a youngster growing up in the Irmo area.
In April of 2021, he returned to the Masters as the defending champion and one year after that, he continues to appreciate the fact that he can walk the grounds at the Augusta National Golf Club as a former Masters champion.
"It feels great. It's something that as a kid growing up you dream about winning the Masters," Johnson said at a news conference.
"For it to come true and to come back here last year as defending champ and then obviously this year as a champion, it's an unbelievably special place just coming to play the event, but after you're a Masters champion, it's even that much more special. Every time you come back, it brings up all the memories. It's a place that I'm always going to cherish. Like I said, as a kid, I was always making putts to win the Masters. It's something that I'm going to look forward to forever."
There have been years when Johnson has come to Augusta with a win or more on his resume leading up to the Masters. This year, he has not hoisted a trophy although his last finish was a fourth-place showing at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. When asked about Tiger Woods playing, DJ said all the attention on the five-time Masters champion is just fine with him.
"It's going to be his first tournament back in a long time. So obviously he's one of greatest that's ever played this game and especially in our era, so anytime he tees it up, especially after his injuries, he's going to take a lot of attention, which is okay with me," Johnson said.
"I always like sliding in a little under the radar."