Rozner: Tempted again to pick Dustin Johnson

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

You can argue about who said it first, but it's almost certainly Jordan Spieth who said it last.

And it's Dustin Johnson who has said it most.

As the best golfers in the world play practice rounds and prepare for Oakmont, arguably the hardest U.S. Open setup there is, Spieth is tearing at the scar tissue left over from the injuries he suffered on the back nine at Augusta.

But it is Johnson who must somehow let go of his very troubled past, a major championship history that is filled with blunders and gags, none worse than a 3-putt from 12 feet on 18 at Chambers Bay a year ago.

We might remember him failing to mark his ball before missing the last short putt that would have earned him an 18-hole playoff against Spieth.

But few credit Johnson with two of the greatest shots ever hit in major-championship, 18th-hole history as he left himself that eagle putt from 12 feet, or think of how unlucky it was for that ball to stay above the hole after a brilliant approach.

That shot-making was not shocking, but even with his history the explosion on the green was again disturbing.

It has to be - even knowing what you know about Johnson.

There was the lead at Pebble in the 2010 U.S. Open, which disappeared during a final-round 82.

There was the infamous grounding of the club in the bunker that wasn't on 18 at Whistling Straits in the 2010 PGA Championship, which cost him a chance to win in a playoff.

There was the perfect spot at the 2011 British Open, when he made the turn and looked like he would bring it home, only a shot off the lead when he put a 2-iron off the property on 14.

There was the British last year at St. Andrews when he had the lead after two days but got caught in that absurd wind on Saturday that cost him several shots before play was suspended, and he finished well off the pace with 75s the final two days.

And, of course, there was Chambers Bay.

Johnson is a walking, talking, breathing paradox. He is the most talented golfer never to win a major. Heck, he might be the most talented golfer, period.

He is intimidating when he arrives on every practice tee, with great size and amazing length, with an imaginative short game to match.

There is nothing he can't do on a golf course, except - seemingly - win when it matters most.

Yet, it is impossible not to think of him as one of the favorites again as he takes on Oakmont. It's impossible not to think of the two perfect shots he hit on 18 at Chambers Bay under the most excruciating pressure.

Jason Day might be the only other player on Tour today who could have hit those two shots with that kind of length and accuracy.

And it should be noted that on Sunday at Medinah during the 2012 Ryder Cup, as Team USA was falling apart, Johnson won his singles match and put the first American point on the board under pressure greater than a major. He also tied for the team lead with 3 points that week.

So here is Johnson again, coming in off a 63 at Memphis on Sunday.

"I feel like I've been playing well the last few months and I have a lot of confidence in my game," Johnson said. "The course is in perfect condition. The setup is really good.

"It's firming up and the conditions are really good. It's going to play tough, but if you hit it in the fairway, you can hit some good shots. I'm excited about this week."

Not many players can say that because Oakmont is so frightening, but Johnson's length gives him a huge advantage.

He's No. 1 on the PGA Tour in proximity from 50-125 yards.

He's No. 1 in birdie conversion percentage.

He's No. 2 in prox from 150-175.

He's No. 2 in scoring average.

He's No. 3 in strokes gained tee to green.

He's No. 4 in strokes gained scoring.

He's No. 6 in the World Golf Rankings.

But he's No. 46 in strokes gained putting, 76th in total putting and No. 163 in putting from four feet.

"Dustin is arguably the most talented player on Tour," Spieth said. "He's not only a freak athlete, but a freak golf athlete. He hits shots you won't see anybody else try."

What he has not done is hold it together on Sunday in the majors, and make putts when it matters most.

Once again, however, he is on a course that suits him better than anyone in the field.

They say you have to win a major before you believe you can win a major, but how do you believe it when you haven't done it?

That is the question Dustin Johnson will sleep on every night this week.

And a question he will have to answer until he doesn't anymore.

Only winning will get him there.

brozner@dailyherald.com

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