2016 champ says he hasn't slipped, but struggling on LIV Tour

OAKMONT, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Former world number one Dustin Johnson believes he's still an elite player despite 2025 results as he returns to the site of his US Open title believing he can win it again.

"Golf is a strange sport," Johnson said. "I don't feel like I've slipped any.  My scores haven't reflected, but it is a really fine line. I remember a few years ago, I missed two cuts in a row.  I think I shot 80-80, and then I won the next week."

He believes he's 'always really close' to being good. It's just about consistency. It's something he's battled all season, but says he's starting to see a lot of patterns and the game feels like it's coming back into good form.

Johnson is only 27^th on the LIV Tour, that is out of 54 total players. It's been a tough year. Now 40-years-old, Johnson finished tied for 10th at the LIV tournament last week in Virginia. He had three rounds under par to get to nine under over three rounds. In five of the eight LIV Tour events this year he's finished in the bottom half including last place in the third event this year.

"I feel like my game's been really close," Johnson said. "I haven't really got a lot out of it."

He said he gave away some shots In the PGA Championship this year where he really struggled on and around the greens, typically Oakmont Country Club isn't a place where you can win without feel around the pin. But said he loves this course, admitting its harder than 2016 mostly because of the added length off the tee.

No player has ever won the US Open twice at Oakmont, but some good memories, even if it was nine years ago, he believes does help.

"I have confidence in this golf course because I know I played well, but obviously this week puts a lot of pressure on the driver," Johnson said. "I feel like I'm driving the ball really good right now. Even from there, though, it doesn't get much easier.  You definitely have to hit it in the fairway if you want a chance to win around here."

It's the hardest course Johnson said he's ever played and in his last 12 majors--two top 10s (10^th at the 2023 US Open and sixth at the 2022 Open Championship). He's missed the cut at the Masters and PGA Championship this year.

Masters

·      2025   missed cut +3

·      2024   missed cut +13

·      2023   tied 48^th +8

PGA Championship

·      2025   missed cut +12

·      2024   tied 43^rd -6

·      2023   tied 55^th +9

US Open

·      2024   missed cut +9

·      2023   Tied 10^th -3

·      2022   Tied 24^th +4

Open Championship

·      2024   tied 31^st +6

·      2023   missed cut +13

·      2022   tied 6^th  -13

Recent results say no chance, but Johnson isn't buying it.