The modern game is filled with bombers, yet few are known for their power and thunder like Dustin Johnson. But those tuning into the first round action at the Northern Trust noticed something off with the tournament’s defending champ: golf’s mighty Thor was without his hammer.
According to the broadcast from Liberty National, Johnson noticed a crack in his TaylorMade SIM2 driver prior to his tee-time. The Rules of Golf allow for a replacement club to be subbed in; unfortunately for Johnson, his back-up was not on site, and the TaylorMade equipment truck had already departed for next week’s BMW Championship.
Unable to find a suitable stand-in, the two-time Major champ instead went with two 3-woods in his bag.
Johnson’s normal 3-wood is relatively weak at 16.5 degrees – if you can call a club that goes 250 metres “weak”. It is likely the second 3-wood is adjustable, allowing Johnson to move the loft closer to 13.5 degrees.
Johnson did say he felt the course played longer for him, but was ambivalent about whether he’d add a replacement driver for the second round.
“I’m hitting the 3-wood pretty good so maybe I’ll stick with that,” Johnson laughed.
The reigning FedEx Cup champion entered the Northern Trust 17th in the points standings.
PHOTO: Stacy Revere
