Golf: Johnson eager to defend title

Long-hitting American is the only player in the elite 125-strong field to have won FedEx Cup playoff.

NEW YORK: Dustin Johnson has made a habit of thriving in the latter part of the PGA Tour season, good reason for him to be excited about his title defence at this week’s Barclays tournament in Farmingdale, New York. The long-hitting American is the only player in the elite 125-strong field assembled at Bethpage State Park to have won FedEx Cup playoff events in each of the last two years and is eager to launch his bid for a third in today’s opening round. “This is the time where you really need to play well,” said Johnson. “I’ve had a lot of success the last few years in the playoffs, and hopefully I can continue that this year.” Tiger Woods, a triple winner on the 2012 PGA Tour, will start from pole position this week.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2012.