Johnson ready for long game at Open
World’s top golfer is the bookmakers favourite in a field containing eight South Africans
Erin — Dustin Johnson will aim to exploit his big-hitting prowess on the longest course in Major championship history when he tees off at the US Open on Thursday, bidding to become the first back-to-back champion in 28 years. The world No1 won his first Major in 2016’s US Open at Oakmont, after several near-misses, and is the bookmakers’ favourite at the picturesque Erin Hills course in rural Wisconsin. Eight South Africans will tee off on Thursday, with Charl Schwartzel likely to lead the local challenge. Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, arrives at Erin Hills in top form after finishing tied second at the St Jude Classic in Memphis last week. Ernie Els, the only South African US Open winner in the field (1994 and 1997), has been showing signs of getting back into form. Louis Oosthuizen has been in great form this season with six top-25 finishes in just 11 events, including a runner-up finish at The Players Championship in May. He is definitely someone to keep an eye on. The o...
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