Meeting with the world No.2 Dustin Johnson  12:00, 03/11/2016

Dustin, talk about what it feels like to be back here in Shanghai, a place where you have won before?

Yeah, it feels good. It’s a place I really like. I like the golf course. I’ve had a lot of success here and it’s a place I look forward to coming to every year. The game right now is in pretty good shape. I’ve had three weeks off, so took a nice little break, but you know, it’s good to get back into the mode of tournament golf and I’m excited to be here.

What do you like about the World Golf Championships?

The World Golf Championships is a big tournament. I mean, in my mind, they are right up there, probably just behind the majors. So I don’t know, I just always enjoy playing in the big tournaments, good fields. It’s always got the best players in the world, and it’s just, I don’t know, I have just always like them. They are fun tournaments. They are always at good golf courses and they are great events to be at.

Korea has added one PGA TOUR tournament, as well, and on the other hand, Asia has three PGA TOUR events, so for American players. Do they have any special thoughts that they might have played more tournaments?

Well, I think the PGA TOUR is trying to grow the game, especially worldwide. So adding another big tournament in Korea I think is a big step for the PGA TOUR. I think it’s big for the game of golf. It definitely brings alot more excitement for the American players to come over and play here. We have fans all over the world, so it’s nice to get out and play for them. I’m excited about it. Whether I’ll play or not, I don’t know. I have to look at the schedule for next year. But it’s something that’s definitely to be thought about.

Do  you remember your first trip to Asia?

I do.  It was USA – Japan team matches. I went to Tokyo and played at a golf course outside of Tokyo when I was in college.  At that time, we won, yes. It was, I think eight guys and four girls versus Japan.

Would you have thought then, that Asia would be kind of a regular stop on your schedule?

Yeah, I mean, I don’t know, at that point, I think I was maybe a sophomore in college. So I really didn’t know what the future held for me at that point.  But I enjoy coming over and playing, so it’s something that I definitely would have liked to come back and played.

Can you share your secret, how to get the longest drive?

Swing harder (laughter). There’s not really a secret. Just the gym, working out help. I think I was just blessed with being tall. But I do put in a lot of work in the gym to keep my strength and keep my distance.  But as far as a secret, I don’t have a secret.

Do you sense that your generation of Americans are more enthusiastic about coming over to Asia than your predecessors?

I really don’t know. But for me, they have big, big tournaments over here, so it’s hard not to come over here and play. So it makes sense for me. For my friends, this is a World Golf Championship, so they have got a great field here; I think 40 of the top 50 guys. So you know, even tournaments in America don’t get 40 of the top 50. I think it says something about HSBC. It says something about this golf tournament. They do a great job here. But I think you see more and more guys wanting to come over here and play.