Long-hitting Dustin Johnson shines with short game
Sports // Golf
Mike Bailey and Associated Press April 2, 2016
Mired in a bunker has become Dustin Johnson's comfort zone at the Golf Club of Houston. The contender, here hitting out of a trap on No. 16, has gone five-for-five in sand saves for par at SHO.
Photo: Thomas B. Shea, Freelance
Dustin Johnson, who is just one shot off the lead at 10-under-par 206 after carding a 70 in Saturday's third round, is known for his prolific distance, both off the tee and with his irons.
But he has really put on a short-game clinic in the Shell Houston Open, particularly with the putter.
He's No. 1 here in strokes gained putting, having made nearly 350 feet of putts at Golf Club of Houston. He's also five-for-five in sand saves and 16-for-23 in scrambling, good for 22nd in the field. On Saturday, he had just 25 putts to stay in contention.
"I played really well on Thursday and then, you know, just mediocre the last two days," Johnson said. "But you know, my short game has been really good. It's held me in there the last two days under tough conditions."
Spieth progressingwith the putter
At 6-under 210, Jordan Spieth will have to go really low Sunday to overtake the leaders and win the Shell Houston Open. But despite not posting really low scores, Spieth is pleased with the shape of his game and is feeling more comfortable with the putter going into the Augusta this week.
He had 26 putts during Saturday's 2-under-par 70 and has 80 putts for the tournament. He's 46th in the field in strokes gained putting.
"I did some really good work yesterday and a little more this morning," said Spieth, the defending Masters champion who lost at SHO in a playoff last year. "It's close. You know, seeing some go in is really what's going to make the difference, seeing some in tournament play."
Toms quite pleasedwith his creation
As the co-designer of the Tournament Course at the Golf Club of Houston, it might seem that David Toms could use his course knowledge to his advantage.
Not really, despite shooting his third consecutive 70 to reach 6 under and five shots off the lead.
"The grass is thick, so the golf course is playing long," said Toms, who wasn't exactly a big hitter in his heyday when he won the 2001 PGA Championship, much less now that he's 49. "So I'm just having to hang in there on a lot of holes and taking advantage of some of the shorter holes, and I've done that pretty well this week."
This is the sixth time Toms has played in the Shell Houston Open since the tournament moved to the Tournament Course in 2006. His best finish was a tie for 27th in 2007, so if he has a decent round Sunday, he will eclipse that finish.
Watching the course evolve over the years, Toms is pleased with how well the course has been received, and the way it's prepped prior to the Masters.
The thing he's most proud of, though?
"It seems to play pretty well in just about every wind direction, which is always a tough thing," said Toms, who drove here from his home in Shreveport, La. "The field staff has to do a good job to set it up for every wind, and they seem to do that. You've got some long, hard holes and some shorter holes, a good mix. I think it's a good tour golf course."
Henley weathersrough patch just fine
Nobody got off to hotter start Saturday than Russell Henley, who finds himself just a shot off the lead at 10-under 206 going into Sunday's final round.
First, he holed out his second shot from 168 yards on the first hole for an eagle two. Then, he birdied the third and fourth holes to move up near the top of the leader board.
But it didn't continue.
Henley made bogey on No. 7 and double bogey on the par-4 11th, when he hit into a hazard and three-putted. In the past, that might have rattled the five-year pro, but not this time. Henley recorded birdies on Nos. 12, 15 and 17 and made a great par save on No. 18 to close out a third-round 68.
"I think I've let stuff like that (double bogey) get to me a decent amount this year," Henley said. "I'm working on pushing through, because I'm really believing in my game. If I can just get out of my own way, just maybe I can shoot some good scores."
Woods decides backnot ready for Masters
Tiger Woods is going to Augusta National this week - to eat, not play.
Woods made it official what most observers figured all along. Recovery from two back surgeries last year has not progressed to the point where he is ready to tee it up at the Masters. It will be the second time in the past three years that the four-time champion has not played the Masters.
"After assessing the present condition of my back, and consulting with my medical team, I've decided it's prudent to miss this year's Masters," Woods said on his website.
"I've been hitting balls and training daily, but I'm not physically ready. I've said all along that this time I need to be cautious and do what's best for my long-term health and career.
"Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn't be the right decision."
Woods said he at least plans to attend the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night "and see a lot of friends." Masters champion Jordan Spieth has said he will serve Texas barbecue.
Mike Baileyand Associated Press
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