Myrtle Beach arguably has the densest concentration of golf courses in America, but in 50+ years of watching the majors on TV and reading about them, I cannot remember anyone from the Grand Strand area having a shot at winning. That changes today as Dustin Johnson, who was born in Columbia, SC, but lives in Myrtle Beach, enters the final round of the U.S. Open three shots up.
Johnson looked unflappable yesterday, as if he were out for a casual round with his buddies from Coastal Carolina University, but we have seen that look before from guys named van de Velde and Hoch and Sanders (Doug). If he is leading or tied as he plays the 18th hole today, Johnson will face a pressure unknown to virtually all other competitive athletes -– and he will face it utterly alone, unshared with teammates or coach. Sure, his caddy will toss some grass in the air and whisper something like “trust the club,” but days, weeks and years after the stroke is made, we will remember the player only, and he will never forget the shot he played, for better or ill.
Go Dustin!