Dustin Johnson is one of the smoothest characters on tour. Whether he’s warming-up for the day or walking down the final hole of a major, he looks like he’s in a perpetual state of relaxation — and that was never more true than when I observed him on the range ahead of his first round at the Hero World Challenge last December.
8:01 a.m.: Arrives on range.
8:02 a.m.: Hits first shot.
8:04 a.m.: DJ’s caddie AJ forgets iPad for Trackman, runs back to hotel.
8:04 a.m.: DJ picks up Bubba Watson’s lefty club, makes swings.
8:07 a.m.: DJ boasts he can fly it 285 yards with his lefty swing.
8:09 a.m.: Makes more swings, returns to range spot, hits four wedge shots.
8:11 a.m.: Wipes off club, talks to Justin Thomas.
8:12 a.m.: Hits three wedge shots, looks around.
8:14 a.m.: Takes practice swings with Gary Woodland’s new club. Watches Woodland hit balls, talks.
8:18 a.m.: Walks with back to his own bag.
8:19 a.m.: Asks what time it is, hits two wedge shots.
8:20 a.m.: Watches Bubba hit a drive, looks at his Trackman numbers, makes fun of his clubhead speed.
8:21 a.m.: Caddy AJ returns with iPad.
8:22 a.m.: Hits wedge, AJ shows DJ funny YouTube video on phone. The pair laugh.
8:24 a.m.: Signs autograph, switches to 7-iron, hits six shots rapid fire.
8:27 a.m.: Pulls driver, hits eight shots rapid fire checking Trackman numbers.
8:30 a.m.: Leaves range.