Driver love, baby!

Maybe a little time off was just the prescription Dustin Johnson needed to snag his sixth-career PGA Tour victory, the most of any player in his 20s, at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Due to a back injury in March, DJ was forced to take almost a three-month vacation from competitive golf. He also estimated that he went six weeks without hitting balls.

Despite the long layoff, Johnson dusted off most of the rust at The Memorial (T19) and then shined in his second start since returning from the DL in Memphis, firing a four-under 66 to hold off John Merrick by a shot. (continue reading…)

That's what a double-bogey on the 72nd hole looks like

Coming off a birdie to jump into a four-way tie for the lead at 8-under, Rory McIlroy had an extra bounce to his step walking up to the 18th tee. Although he wasn’t feeling completely comfortable with his 3-wood (case of the lefts all day), he knew it was the play. He didn’t pull it off the way he planned, though. Instead, McIlroy dunked it in the water that runs along the left-side of the fairway.

The finishing hole at TPC Southwind is an easy hole to screw up, though — just ask Robert Garrigus. (continue reading…)

McIlroy trying to track down his game

Rory McIlroy was visibly frustrated with himself and his game last week at the European PGA Championship, where he shot 74-79 to miss his second consecutive cut. McIlroy isn’t accustomed to having the weekend off, which has also reduced his number of competitive rounds.

The 23-year-old reigning U.S. Open champ admitted to feeling unprepared for Wentworth and told reporters he needed to reassess his game plan as he aims to defend his title at this year’s challenging and extremely difficult venue, the Olympic Club. In addition to the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, he’s also committed to play the FedEx St. Jude in Memphis, departing from his usual week-off (or more) before a major (he feels he plays better right out the gate). (continue reading…)