Nobody is hotter than Dustin Johnson on the PGA tour. He's playing his way into the Masters and perhaps a shot at Corey Pavin's Ryder Cup team. The soft spoken big handed Carolinian doesn't have much to say despite going back to back and wire to wire at the AT&T. He shows little emotion despite his achievement on Valentines day. A personality is not in the bag for one of the longest hitters on the tour. He's focused and even. Emotion is not part of his game. But how can you not be outwardly excited following a drama packed performance? I talked with Johnson all 4 days after leading the tournament and at Spanish Bay for a media event several weeks early, and it's always the same stoic figure. He'll smile and be spend time with you, but don't expect any jokes or expressive emotion. That seems to be makeup of many winners at Pebble. The media was completely entertained when Bret Ogle won in 1993. The Australian rookie was genuinely taken in by the moment of winning. He let the press and world see his joy. Granted, it was his first PGA tour win while Johnson now has 3 in 2+ seasons...but Dustin did not allow himself to embrace the moment. He'll be in many media situations in the future, so it would serve the 25 year star to bring some material to the party.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Dustin Johnson bogies 17 but makes sandy bird on 18 at Pebble to go wire to wire and back to back.
It was a struggle, but in the end, a sandy birdie on famed #18 at Pebble Beach vaulted defending champion Dustin Johnson into the winner's circle again. His 2 over par final round 74 was just enough to hold off hard charging David Duval who was the only player with all 4 rounds in the 60's, and JB Holmes finishing a single shot back.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
www.12sportsonline.com Jerry's Jabs.
The US Open returns to Pebble Beach in June, and Saturday Night after the setting the field for the final round of the AT&T, the USGA and Johnny Miller of NBC fielded questions from the media. Discussion of rough length, Tee positions, speed of greens, firmness of fairways and other aspects of preparation were shared, but eventually the conversation shifted to Tiger Woods who won the US Open at Pebble 10 years ago by 15 strokes. Woods is now facing his demons and Johnny Miller gave his take.
Paul Goydos has the experience edge over Dustin Johnson, but that's about it.
45 year old Paul Goydos will tee off in the final group Sunday, with 25 year old Dustin Johnson. Both stand at 18 under par and own a 4 shot lead on the field, but the similarities stop there. Johnson is one of the longest hitters on the tour and Goydos one of the shorter. Both PGA players have won twice on tour, but Johnson's wins are over 2 years, while Goydos' span over nearly 20. So the battle shapes up to be one of power vs. experience.
Dustin Johnson shares the lead with Paul Goydos heading into Sunday's final round at Pebble
If Dustin Johnson prevails once again in winning the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he'll do it in wire to wire fashion, as was the case in last year's rain shortened event. The long hitting 25 year old will be paired in the final group with a player 20 years his senior. Paul Goydos joined Johnson at 18 underpar , and their games could not be more different. The long hitting Johnson goes for broke and will be outdriving his older pairing partner by 50 yards per drive. Goydos is all about precision and control, having gone 41 holes this week without a bogey.
Dustin Johnson makes the turn leading by 4, midway through round 3 of the AT&T
The Defending Champion is pulling away from the field early in round 3 at the AT&T. Dustin Johnson started his day with an eagled #1 at Spyglass Hill and is 6 underpar through his first 8 holes. Now at 16 underpar for the Tournament, the 25 year old from Carolina owns a 4 stroke edge over Paul Goydos and 5 clear of several others including David Duval. It was a 6-way logjam at the top when play began, but Johnson has played his way to a comfortable cushion. The interview was following his Friday round.
Paul Goydos is a refreshing player on the PGA tour, and also is the halfway leader with 5 others at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am
At age 45 Paul Goydos, one of the more colorful members of the PGA tour is one of 6 pros atop the leader board at 10 under par heading into Saturday's third round. Defending Champion Dustin Johnson is among the top half dozen, with David Duval just a single shot back.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Scenes from the 9th hole at Spyglass Hill on day 2 of AT&T
A spectacular day for round two, and the weather forecast is even better for Saturday. Here's some action around the 9th tee, fairway and green on number 9 at Spyglass Hill. Celebrities Andy Garcia and George Lopez were in the same group smoking cigars along the way. Bill Murray with a knee injury is hobbling around, but still walking the course and entertaining the gallery.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Dustin Johnson continues his roll at Pebble Beach. The defending champion birdies his final 5 holes and sits atop the leader board after round one.
Rounds in the 60's were routine today for many of the pros in the opening round of the AT@T, but in the end, last year's champion is back atop the leader board. Dustin Johnson birdied his final 5 holes playing Pebble Beach and carded an 8 under 64. One of the PGA tours longest hitters, Johnson took advantage of soft fairways with shorter irons and a red hot putter. Still, his 64 was matched by Charlie Hoffman who played Monterey Peninsula Country Clubs Shore course which is a par 70. Blake Adams and Jeff Maggert and Charlie Hoffman (no relation)all at MPCC shot 65's. Scoring was toughest today at Spyglass Hill, but David Duval turned in the best round with a 5 under 67. The 78 Pro-Am foursomes in the field shift courses for Friday's round 2, with the pros chasing defending champion Dustin Johnson
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Andy Garcia was the big winner for charity at Celebrity Challenge at Pebble Beach
Chris Berman, Tony Romo, Don Cheadle, Kenny G., George Lopez, Kelly Slater, Huey Lewis and Andy Garcia were some of the celebrities competing for charity over 5 holes today at Pebble Beach.
For a half century, announcer Bob Murphy has hosted the annual California golf Writers Banquet
Tuesday evening at Spanish Bay, the annual awards were presented by the California Golf Writers and Broadcasters Association. The affair lacked humor, but sincere speeches by recipients Jesse Ortiz winner of the John Swanson "Good Guy" Award, and Emmy Moore-Minister honored as Media person of the year highlighted the evening.
Sergio Garcia returns to Pebble Beach after 9 year absence. The 30 year old star from Spain is back, primarily due to the US Open at Pebble in June.
The AT&T at Pebble Beach finds Sergio Garcia back in the field, but if the US Open was scheduled elsewhere, chances are he would not be here.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Defending Champion Dustin Johnson is back to defend at Pebble Beach. Bad weather and soft fairways play right into his strength as a huge hitter.
Visit Jerry's Golf gab at www.12sportsonline.com for weeklong coverage from the AT@T at Pebble Beach
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