10 Facts About Dustin Johnson

10 facts about American professional golfer Dustin Johnson.

Transcript

00:00Dustin Johnson is one of the most successful golfers of his generation.

00:04Since turning professional, he's been one of the most decorated players on tour.

00:09Let's get to know him a little bit better here with 10 interesting facts.

00:13First up, did you know that Dustin Johnson has won a PGA Tour event in each of his first 13 seasons?

00:19Jack Nicklaus currently holds the record though at 17.

00:23He was born in Columbia, South Carolina and now lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

00:28He played his collegiate golf at Coastal Carolina University, where he majored in sports management.

00:34Johnson turned professional in late 2007 and earned his PGA Tour card after finishing in a tie for 14th place at Kew School.

00:42He won his first ever event in his rookie season, which was the Turning Stone Resort Championship in upstate New York.

00:49Johnson is married to Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of Canadian ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

00:54Together, Dustin and Paulina have two children, Tatum and River.

00:58As of the end of 2021, Johnson sits third on the PGA Tour career money list with $73 million in career earnings.

01:08Only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are ahead of him.

01:11He has a total of 24 wins on the PGA Tour, which includes two majors, the 2020 Masters and the 2016 US Open.

01:20This number also includes six World Golf Championships.

01:23Johnson's dad is a former club pro and took Dustin to start playing golf when he was aged just six.

01:29Despite his father being an ex-pro, Johnson was largely self-taught.

01:34He learned a lot from watching other golfers on the driving range and mimicking their swing.

01:38Speaking on how he started in golf, Johnson said,

01:41My dad would answer my questions when I asked them, but by and large, he let me find my own way.

01:46I'm glad he did because I'm a firm believer in individuality.

01:49Everyone is different.

01:51For me, the best way to improve is to figure out your own golf swing and then work out what works best for you.

01:57This is something I've done throughout my career.

01:59He does have a coach now, though, and he's currently coached by Claude Harmon III, who he's been with since 2014.

02:06His brother, Austin, has been his caddie since 2013.

02:10The two have been a very successful pairing on tour, but also share many interests outside of golf.

02:16Both are huge basketball fans and Austin played college basketball at Charleston Southern University.

02:22He started the Dustin Johnson Golf School based at TPC Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

02:27And he also has his own foundation, which helps young golfers with youth and collegiate golf programs.

02:32And finally, after Tiger Woods and Greg Norman, he has held the world number one position for the third longest spell in history.

02:40So there you have it, 10 facts you may or may not have known about Dustin Johnson.

02:45Expect to see plenty of this guy for the next decade or so, as he aims to become one of the greatest to have ever played the game.

02:52For more facts and information about your favorite players, you can visit the tour section on the Golf Monthly website.