2022 Valspar Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Innisbrook

How much should we read into the way Dustin Johnson closed out the Players Championship.

What had the makings of another underwhelming week in an underwhelming year for a player of DJ’s caliber was partially salvaged when he tied the course record with a 9-under 63 on Sunday.

He played the back nine at TPC Sawgrass in 7-under 29 on Monday to jump 50 spots up the leaderboard from round’s beginning up to T-9th.

“It was a tough week. I just made too many mistakes, from the fairway, too. It wasn’t even when I got out of position. I hit too many bad iron shots from the fairway,” Johnson was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “I’ve got a little work to do still on the game, but obviously it’s in there, just need to get it a little more consistent.”

It gets DJ going in the right direction after a surprising missed cut in his previous start at the Genesis Invitational where he’s a past champion.

Prior to Riviera, Johnson posted three top-10s in his previous five starts, though no top-fives. In fact, the 37-year-old’s last top-five worldwide was his Asian Tour victory early in 2021. The last top-five on the PGA Tour was his 2020 Masters victory.

Wild stuff.

Johnson missed the cut at his Valspar Championship debut in 2010. He didn’t return until 2019 but looked like a horse for the course when he fired 69-69-67 to get into contention before a 74 dropped him to T-6th.

It looks like this event’s a mainstay on the schedule now as he came back in 2021 to finish T-48th (71-68-74-69).

The Coastal Carolina alum doesn’t have enough measured rounds on the PGA Tour to be considered for statistical ranks. It’s easy to see, however, that he’s been solid, if not spectacular, in all areas except for with his short game.

He’s always going to be able to pound the ball and have the ability to go low. If he can stay out of trouble off the tee and get a few to roll in, it won’t take long for him to get his mojo back and remind us why he’s a former world No. 1.