Johnson in position again

HAVEN, Wis. - You don't have to remind Dustin Johnson of the last time he was high up the leaderboard heading into the final round at a major.

He remembers it all to well.

A big lead at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, the wheels coming completely off early on. Blah, blah, blah.

Well, after finishing his third round at the PGA Championship tied for second courtesy of a 5-under 67, the 26-year-old will once again be in familiar territory on a Sunday of a major: the final pairing.

He's more than ready for it.

"It's going to be a long day; you just have to stay patient," said Johnson, who will be paired with leader Nick Watney. "I think maybe at Pebble Beach I got a little impatient, started moving a little too fast."

Like Johnson at the U.S. Open, Watney will have a 3-stroke advntage to begin the day. But Johnson will have something Watney doesn't have: experience.

"Well I would like to be 3 shots ahead; that's 3 shots I don't have to make up tomorrow," Johnson said. "But any time you can be in that situation and know what to expect, you definitely have a leg up on the other people because not everyone has been in the situation of being in the lead of a major.

"So I'm pretty confident and I've been playing well this week, so I'm looking forward to going into tomorrow."

Watney realizes it's advantage Johnson on that one.

"I can only control what I do," Watney said. "I'm going to go out there tomorrow, put the tee in the ground on No. 1 and just try to focus on that shot."

That's what Johnson tried to do at the U.S. Open, but an early triple bogey did him in.

But as tough as that outcome was, Johnson didn't let it eat at him, something he takes great pride in.

"I'm definitely proud of myself," he said. "I played some good golf this summer and even after Pebble Beach, instead of dwelling on it and letting it affect me, it pushed me to work harder - go to the gym a little more, practice some more .... get better."