2021 Masters: Top 10 power rankings for Augusta National

Is Dustin Johnson playing like he and his supporters would like him to be going into Augusta?

No.

Is there enough to supplant him as the favorite?

I don’t think so.

The 2020 Masters champ had to wait just six months to try to become the first player to win two green jackets in a row since Tiger Woods pulled it off in 2001-02. It’s hard to forget Johnson’s performance in which he led pretty much wire-to-wire. Scores of 65-70-65-68 were good for a five-shot romp and a tournament record 20-under total.

The last time we saw Johnson tee it up was at the WGC-Match Play where he placed T-28 after going 1-1-1 and failing to advance past the group stage. He committed last minute at the 5 p.m. EST deadline Friday to the Texas Open after realizing he was going to miss the weekend at the Match Play. Johnson then decommitted on Monday.

Odd stuff, but I’m guessing he was just trying to reserve a spot if he felt like more reps was the best course of action. He chose rest and Masters prep instead. No injury or illness was cited as a reason for the WD.

Some practice should get him back on track as he did not have his best stuff in Florida.

The Coastal Carolina alum did play some good golf out west at the Genesis Invitational (T-8th) and at the European Tour event in Saudi Arabia (win) early in the year.

He’s made his last eight cuts worldwide going back to last summer. Since then, counting no-cut events, Johnson’s recorded three wins, three second places and three more top-10s.

Conditions don’t expect to be as soft as November when DJ set the Masters scoring record of 20-under (65-70-65-68) and won by five.

He’s a powerful player who thrives on taking advantage of his length. However, his 24 PGA Tour wins show he can be adaptable.

Johnson has made nine of 10 cuts at the Masters, but didn’t record a top-10 until his sixth time down Magnolia Lane. That began a streak of five top-10s in a row, including T-2nd (68-70-70-68) in 2019.

DJ ranks 11th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (.77). He’s got a bevvy of more stats to like, including seventh in holes per eagle (84) and 33rd in birdie average (4.25).

“I definitely liked the golf course from the first time I played it, but you know, it’s tricky,” Johnson was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2020. “I mean, you’ve got to play‑‑ I feel like the more you play it, the more you learn about it, the more comfortable you get out here.”