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Dustin Johnson was not a part of Team USA at last week’s Ryder Cup, but many might wish he had been after what he did on Thursday at Carnoustie.
The two-time major champ opened with a 64 at the famed Open Championship venue on Day 1 of the DP World Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. And for a while, it looked like he was going to finish a lot lower.
After making eagle on the par-5 12th hole, Johnson stood at eight under on the day and well within reach of Tommy Fleetwood’s course-record 63 set back at this event in 2017. But the LIV star only managed to par his way into the clubhouse. Here’s a look at his first-round scorecard:
The 41-year-old Johnson is having a disappointing year in which he only finished 14th in the LIV season standings and missed the cut in three of four majors in case you’re wondering why he was not on Keegan Bradley’s squad at Bethpage Black. He did record his best finish—a solo third in Indianapolis—in his most recent LIV start.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is played over three courses: Carnoustie, the Old Course at St. Andrews and Kingsbarns Golf Links with the final round played at the Old Course on Sunday after a 54-hole cut. Ryan Brehm is the current leader after an opening 63 at Kingsbarns.
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Johnson’s former U.S. teammate Brooks Koepka also got off to a strong start with a 67 at Carnoustie.
Five members of the victorious European Ryder Cup team are in the field as well: Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre and defending champ Tyrrell Hatton.
Main Image: Ross Parker – SNS Group
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