Reformed wildman Dustin Johnson spent the weekend in Dublin but it was birdies he was chasing not thrills and spills on the town.

The PGA Tour star, a married father of one these days after coming back from a six-month “leave of absence” to treat personal issue, hooked up with billionaire Dermot Desmond and other friends.

“Yeah, we played at Portmarnock and Royal Dublin,” Johnson said. “I go over every year before The Open and play some golf over there and then come over. 

“It was a nice weekend, just hung out with the boys and played some golf.”

Desmond’s sons Brett, Ross and Derry were also with the star as well as a representative from club manufacturer TaylorMade, Sean Mullen.

The World No 4 hasn’t played since he finished a shot behind Jordan Spieth in the US Open at Chambers Bay, three putting the last.

Needing an eagle at the 18th to win and a birdie for playoff, he hit a great shot to 15 feet but three putted to miss out.

Asked at St Andrews how long it took him to get over that devastating loss, he said: "Not very long. You know, I played really well that week. 

"I was happy with the way I played and the way I handled myself coming down the last few holes. I thought I hit the shots that I was supposed to hit. 

"You know, I did everything I was supposed to. It wasn't too difficult to get over it. Obviously I was a little disappointed I didn’t get the job done, but you know, I was definitely happy with the way I played.”

On the three-putt, he said: "I knew I needed to make birdie. I hit the drive exactly where I wanted to. I hit the second shot right where I wanted to. 

“I hit two great shots, and unfortunately my ball -- I don't know how it stayed where it did, above the hole up there, but unfortunately it stayed there, and it was just a tough putt. 

“I was trying to make it, but if it went in, I wanted it to barely go in, and it still went four feet by. Hit a good putt on the way back, and it just bounced and missed left.”

Drawn with Spieth, who can take over from Rory McIlroy as world No 1 if he wins the Open, as well as Hideki Matsuyama, he said: “Jordan is a good buddy of mine, and so we have fun playing together. 

"I think we've got a good group. I think I just saw it's me and Spieth and Matsuyama, so it'll be a good day. I like playing with Jordan. No pressure, though.”