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PGA Championship Power Rankings: Top 10 picks for Bellerive

By Mike Randleman

ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 04: The Wanamaker Trophy, which is awarded to the PGA Champion is seen during the 2018 PGA Championship Media Day at Bellerive Country Club on June 4, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 04: The Wanamaker Trophy, which is awarded to the PGA Champion is seen during the 2018 PGA Championship Media Day at Bellerive Country Club on June 4, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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AKRON, OH – AUGUST 02: Dustin Johnson lines up a shot on the 16th green during World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational – Round One at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 2, 2018 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AKRON, OH – AUGUST 02: Dustin Johnson lines up a shot on the 16th green during World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational – Round One at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 2, 2018 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Just as past PGA Championship winners get reserved parking spots in the players lot, I feel like I have a reserved space for DJ in my top three whenever he tees it up.

Call me boring, but why would you fade Johnson right now?

He’s a three-time winner in 2018 (Tournament of Champions, St. Jude Classic, Canadian Open) and has been so steady all year. He’s missed just one cut and has done worse than T16 just twice.

Johnson is fresh off of rounds of 66 and 64 last week at the WGC-Bridgestone that vaulted him to a T3.

In 2017-18, Johnson is eighth on Tour in strokes gained on approaches and first tee to green. He hits it a mile and should hit more fairways this week than he’s accustomed to in the other majors.

DJ has also improved from 81st in strokes gained putting last season to 18th. He switched to a TaylorMade Spider Mini putter last week and noted improved confidence on the greens.

He’s also 46th in SG around the green.

As long as he can take to a course quickly like he did at Oakmont, DJ could be halfway to the career grand slam by Sunday night.

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