Johnson renews with TaylorMade, resumes with two-under 71 in Kapalua
Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Sentry Tournament Of Champions at the Kapalua Plantation Course on January 07, 2021 in Kapalua, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
World number one Dustin Johnson has renewed his megabucks deal with TaylorMade as he bids to top his Masters-winning season with an even better year in 2021.
The American (36) yesterday signed a multi-year contract extension to remain in the same stable as Rory McIlroy, just days after world No 2 Jon Rahm moved to Callaway.
“With all the challenges of 2020, it was one of my best years on the golf course,” said Johnson, who has made more than $70 million in tournament earnings and won 24 PGA Tour events, including the 2016 US Open and a record-setting Masters win last year.
As for his plans for 2021, he said: “Motivation for me, it's not that hard. I mean, I like being the best. I want to continue the good play and hopefully can have a little bit better year this year.”
Yet to decide what to serve his fellow Masters champions at the traditional dinner at Augusta National in April — “Right now it's all over the board” — he admitted donning the green jacket surpassed all expectations.
“I for sure definitely dreamed about winning the Masters and it wasn't even close,” said Johnson, who last night opened with a two-under 71 to lie tied 30th, six shots behind Harris English and playing partner Justin Thomas, who returned to action with eight under 65’s in the Sentry Tournament of Champions on the Plantation Course at Kapalua.
“You dream about winning it and what it's going to be like, but until you actually do and experience it, yeah, I don't think the dream was anywhere close to the feeling and the gratification and everything that goes along with it. It was much more special than I dreamed, for sure.”
2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions
(13th of 50 events in the 2020-21 PGA TOUR Season)
Kapalua, Maui, HI January 7-10, 2021 Purse: $6,700,000 ($1,340,000) The Plantation Course Par/Yards: 36-37—73/7,596 FedExCup Points: 500 (winner)
First-Round Notes – Thursday, January 7, 2021
Weather: Partly cloudy, with a high of 82. Wind ENE 9-18 mph, with gusts to 25 mph.
First-Round Leaderboard
Justin Thomas 65 (-8)
Harris English 65 (-8)
Robert Streb 67 (-6)
Sergio Garcia 67 (-6)
Nick Taylor 67 (-6)
Ryan Palmer 67 (-6)
Sungjae Im 67 (-6)
Patrick Reed 67 (-6)
Things to Know
Justin Thomas shares opening-round lead with Harris English in bid to become first player since Geoff Ogilvy in 2010 to successfully defend title at the event; marks his ninth opening-round lead/co-lead on TOUR
English holds his fourth first-round lead/co-lead in his 250th career start on the PGA TOUR
2002 Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Sergio Garcia cards 6-under 67 in first start at Kapalua since 2006
After a 3-over start, Ryan Palmer’s scorecard includes two eagles and four straight birdies en route to a 6-under 67
FedExCup leader and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson records an opening-round 2-under 71
First-Round Lead Notes
11 First-round leaders/co-leaders at the Sentry Tournament of Champions to win
Most recent: Dustin Johnson/2013 (54-hole event)
2 First-round leaders/co-leaders to win this season
Most recent: Dustin Johnson/Masters Tournament
Comparing the co-leaders (entering the week)
Justin Thomas (65/T1)
Two-time tournament winner and defending champion posts opening round 65 to share lead with Harris English
Holds first-round lead/co-lead for the ninth time (four wins)
Seeks third win at the event (2017, 2020), which would tie Stuart Appleby for most wins since the tournament
moved to The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Looking to become first player to successfully defend title at the event since Geoff Ogilvy in 2010
Opened with 67 in both of his wins at the Sentry Tournament of Champions (2017, 2020)
R1 stats: 11/15 fairways, 16/18 greens, 28 putts
Is 77-under in six starts at the tournament; is 46-under in his last 10 rounds at The Plantation Course
Marks his 27th round in the 60s in Hawaii TOUR events since 2015 (most of any player)
One career successful title defense on TOUR (2016 CIMB Classic)
Has finished T12 or better in each of his last six starts, dating back to a T2 at the 2020 TOUR Championship
Harris English (65/T1)
Marks his lowest opening-round score in relation to par on TOUR
Holds the first-round lead/co-lead for the fourth time: 2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic (won), 2020 Honda Classic (T17), 2020
The NORTHERN TRUST (2), 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions (TBD)
R1 stats: 15/15 fairways, 15/18 greens, 26 putts
Seeking third TOUR win in 250th start (2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic, 2014 Mayakoba Golf Classic)
Qualified for the field with 12th place finish in the 2020 TOUR Championship
Miscellaneous Notes
2002 Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Sergio Garcia (T3) cards 6-under 67 in first start at the event since
2006; began round 2-over through three holes
Ryan Palmer (T3) started his day 3-over through four holes before closing with a 6-under 67; round highlighted by
two eagles (Nos. 5 & 9) and four straight birdies (Nos. 13-16); had never broken 70 in the first round in four prior
starts at the Sentry Tournament of Champions
Robert Streb (T3) opened 67 in both starts at the Sentry Tournament of Champions (2015, 2021); qualified by
winning his last start (2020 The RSM Classic)
In his tournament debut, Sungjae Im (T3) had five straight birdies on Nos. 10-14 en route to a 6-under 67
Patrick Reed’s bogey-free 6-under 67 included a birdie-eagle finish; 2015 tournament winner also has runner-up
finishes at The Plantation Course in 2016 and 2020
Reigning FedExCup champion and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (T30) posted a 2-under 71
Bogey-free rounds:
R1 (9): Justin Thomas (65), Robert Streb (67), Nick Taylor (67), Patrick Reed (67), Adam Scott (68), Viktor Hovland (69), Martin Laird (69), Marc Leishman (69), Richy Werenski (69)
