Why Dustin Johnson's time has come

Post by Golf Journalist, Nick Bonfield 

Dustin Johnson has experienced the most tumultuous spell of his professional golfing career over the last 12 months, but he's now well and truly out the other side. Sometimes you need to take a break to reassess your lifestyle, reevaluate what's important to you and dedicate yourself to being as good you possibly can. With all the rumours circulating about Johnson's alleged penchant for cocaine and party-boy lifestyle, the big-hitting American made a brave decision in taking a leave of absence last summer to 'confront personal challenges I have faced.'

He must have known he'd face some scorn, that rumors would be rife and that the media would have a field day with the wording of a statement that declared his intention to take an indefinite hiatus from the game. Almost immediately, a golf.com report surfaced alleging Johnson had, in fact, been suspended for contravening the PGA Tour's anti-doping policy - something both he and the Tour strenuously deny. He did admit to periodic alcohol indulgence in a comeback interview with Sports Illustrated, but once again stated he didn't have a problem with cocaine.

I still don't think we've seen the whole picture. I'm sure golf.com wouldn't have published such a defamatory report had they not been confident in the validity of their source, and I've heard a number of Johnson-related rumors since I joined the golf industry. It also strikes me as odd that no legal action has been brought against anyone making spurious accusations about the 30-year-old. But that's not important now, and it's time to look forward, not back. If Johnson didn't dabble in banned substances, then he's dealt admirably with the constant criticism. If he did, then he deserves a second chance. We're all human after all. What's important is that he's taken stock, evaluated his life and decided he wants to dedicate himself to golf - a mature decision undoubtedly brought on by his age, the fact he now has a family and the knowledge that, when he properly applies himself, he has the game to rival anyone in the world.

His decision to take a break from the game was vindicated on Sunday as he recorded his second WGC title at the Cadillac Championship on just his 5th start since his return. After missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open, Johnson came 4th at Pebble Beach and lost out in a play-off to James Hahn at the Northern Trust Open. His form was good heading to Doral, and he showed a deadly combination of power and short-game prowess at a devilishly difficult wind-swept layout to defeat JB Holmes by one shot. Yes, he led the driving distance statistics, but there's nothing overly surprising about that; what really stood out was his ability to hole a succession of clutch putts down the stretch. He's now won on the PGA Tour for eight successive seasons - the longest active streak by some distance. Justin Rose is the next best, with five between 2010 and 2014.

Trending in the right direction is one of the buzz phrases on tour, and something Johnson's been doing for a long while. Personal issues clearly affected him during the 2014 campaign - when many expected a major assault after his maiden WGC victory at the 2013 HSBC Champions - but he now looks set to land one of golf's big four. I think he'll do it in 2015, for a number of reasons. The manner of his Cadillac victory and his improved short game is one, his imperious distance another and his renewed desire to succeed a third. In my mind, this year's major venues also play right into Johnson's hands.

Johnson's yet to really threaten at the Masters - perhaps a product of his somewhat unpredictable short game - but he's getting progressively better. His distance off the tee and ability to move the ball from right to left should stand him in good stead next month, as should his improved form on and around the greens. If he gets going, I see Johnson as the type of player who could come surging through the field on the final day, taking advantage of the par-5s in the process. He's not a player renowned for finesse, but his other attributes mean he certainly should be precluded from a space on the list of Masters contenders.

The US Open and USPGA Championships are the tournaments where I'd expect him to enjoy most success. That said, he's proved in the past - most notably at St George's in 2011 - that he's more than capable of winning an Open Championship. If the wind stays away at St Andrews in July, Johnson could be one of the players who really takes the challenge to the Old Course. It might be a surprise to learn that Johnson has notched four top-14 finishes at his last five Opens.

This year, the US Open takes place at Chamber's Bay on America's north-west coastline. It's a links-style layout and one that will differ slightly from the archetypal US Open venue - normally characterised by narrow fairways and penal rough. Johnson feels at home at these types of courses, as demonstrated by his two professional victories round Pebble Beach, so look out for a real challenge in his home Open.

The final major of the year, the USPGA Championship, takes place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, another course flanked by water. Five years ago, Johnson was well in the hunt before grounding his club in a bunker he deemed to be a 'waste area' on the 72nd hole. Memories from that harrowing mistake, coupled with his penchant for links-style courses, means 2015 could be the year he breaks his major duck.

I'll certainly be staking plenty of money of the resurgent 30-year old in this year's big four events.

Image Credit - PGA Tour Facebook