Johnson readying for U.S. Open, will have support

Myrtle Beach resident Dustin Johnson will have some support present from South Carolina when the U.S. OLpen at Pebble Beach tees off Thursday. His father, Scott, and younger brother, Austin, who played basketball Charleston Southern, are scheduled to arrive Wednesday and remain for the tournament. He may also have a few other friends from the Columbia or Myrtle Beach areas.

“I think I’m going to bring my dad out for father’s day and I think he’ll enjoy that,” Johnson said.

He's been formulating his plan for U.S. Open conditions at Pebble Beach, where he's won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in each of the past two years. That plan doesn't include hitting many drivers. His irons usually don't go lower than a 3-iron, but he’s considering adding a 2-iron to bag because he expects to hit so many irons off tees.

Johnson is confident he has the ability to win a major, particularly at Pebble Beach. “I know that I can play good enough to win an Open or a major," he said. "My game right now is very good. I definitely think I have a chance.”

What it would mean for him to add a U.S. Open trophy to the three PGA Tour titles he already possesses in three years on tour? “Any time your name is mentioned in any victory on tour is good, but being a U.S. Open champ, it means more than you can explain,” Johnson said.