Team USA's Dustin Johnson Praises Hazeltine, Fans
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Dustin Johnson broke down the door on the best player to not win a major label, taking home the U.S. Open earlier this summer.
It was hardly an isolated moment. He won the World Golf Championship the following week, and Wednesday he was named the PGA of America Player of the Year.
He begins play at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club Friday morning in Chaska as the second-ranked player in the world.
The first time he played at Hazeltine was in the 2006 U.S. Amateur Championship. His opinion has not changed.
"I think it's a great golf course, it's in fantastic shape right now," Johnson said. "I'm glad the winds not going to blow as hard as the last three days, but I think it's a great match-play course. I think you'll see a lot of good golf out there."
Ryder Cup crowds are the polar opposite of any other golf event. It is going to be boisterous – and Johnson can't wait.
"The fans out here, they've been awesome so far, you know, and it's just the practice days. I couldn't believe how many people were out, you know, rooting us on. And obviously a home crowd is a little bit of an advantage, but I think we got a great team," he said. "I really like all the guys on the team, and you know, I think it's going to be a fun week. It's going to be tough matches, but, you know, we'll see what happens."
The pros tee off Friday at 7:30 a.m.