MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 7, 2026

Dustin Johnson

Quick Quotes

Q. Hey, DJ.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Hey.

Q. Since you first started playing out here, has your approach to Amen Corner changed or has it sort of stayed the same?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: It would be the same. I mean, obviously 13 is a little bit different. That would be the only hole that's really -- I mean 11 is a little bit longer but it's always been a tough hole. 12 is just exact same hole.

But yeah, 13 is the only one that's really a big change I would say. Just longer and a little bit tougher tee ball.

Q. How are they going to play this week given the conditions?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: However they want it. I mean, the weather is perfect, so I think whatever they want to do with the golf course they'll be able to.

Course is in fantastic condition, and, yeah, I think the weather is going to cooperate. However they want it to play that's how it'll play.

Q. For people who haven't been here or much less played it, what's something about those three holes that doesn't translate on television?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, the undulation for one. Like 11 is downhill. I mean, you don't really have flat lies on any of them except for 12 tee box paragraph 13 probably just the second shot, how much above your feet it is. You can't tell that on TV until you get out here.

It's a lot more above your feet than it looks.

Q. Do you feel more refreshed because LIV didn't have an event right before this?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, it's nice because we got come on Sunday and enjoy the day. It's a really nice day, so, yeah, I feel refreshed coming in here. Game feels good. Looking forward to a really nice week.

Q. How do you feel about your 20-under record? Do you think that's safe?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I think it is.

Q. Why do you think it is?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Because the course keeps getting harder every year.

Q. Do you think the time of year you shot it had something to do with it too?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, the year before was what, 19? You know, Tiger, and I think and I finished at 18. So it's all conditions. I mean, both those years it played fairly soft and it's a completely different course this year. Starting to bounce a little bit. Makes it a little bit more difficult.

Q. Are there shots here that you think you got to be the most dialed in mentally because the difficulty of the shots?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, you have to be spot on with pretty much all your clubs and where they're going, especially if it gets firm. The landing areas get really small.

Q. Are there holes you can think of, hey, this is one of them?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I mean, there is a few. I mean, obviously right off the bat, 1 is, then you got 4 and 5 and 7, 10, 11. I mean, all of them.

If it's firm they're all tough, so it makes for a lot of fun and you got to just hit quality golf shots.

Q. On that same note, the more difficult shots, what do you have to hone in on mentally? Are there things like breathing techniques have to do or a certain routine that you follow?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, I mean, I try to do the same routine every time. I think that's the biggest key, keeping your routine the same.

Q. Okay. Last question from me here. What would you say is your welcome-to-the-Masters moment?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Not real sure. Obviously first year you play, but it's pretty cool just coming out and playing your first practice round as a master participant is pretty special.

Q. Is 13 tee shot more difficult now that they moved it back?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, no, it's actually the tee shot to me is actually easier. It's more difficult to get it in a spot where you can go for the green.

Q. What do you hit back there?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Today I rushed a driver and still didn't get far enough where I could go for it. It's into the wind.

Q. Sure. Let's say it was normal. What are you looking at hitting into the green compared to when you won?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Well, I don't know if I went for the green. I had -- I was close enough.

Q. Yeah.

DUSTIN JOHNSON: But now it's -- if it you hit a really good one I think you can get it up there with maybe a 6-iron in or something. I don't know. You would have to ask the guys that hit high draws with their driver because I don't, and it's really hard for me to get it far enough up there.

Q. Do you think it had the intended effect by moving the tee back? Have they made it a harder second shot?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: I don't know. I don't think as many people go for the green now because they just can't.

Q. And yet still that chip isn't that easy either, right?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: No. No, there is nothing easy around there. I think it's important to lay it back to a good number if you do lay up. It's hard when -- like today I had 220 front. I wasn't far enough -- I had to hook it if I wanted to go for it. It's hard to hit a sand wedge to lay up.

Q. Sure. But that's all you needed to do was hit a sand wedge just to lay it up to another sand wedge maybe?

DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, also try to get 60 in your hand.