Former No. 1 player Dustin Johnson wins Travelers Championship this week with a bag full of TaylorMade’s latest and greatest
Last February—that’s when former World No. 1 Dustin Johnson won for the last time. But he took command of the Travelers Championship this weekend, winning over a packed field that included the current top player in golf, Rory McIlroy, and a challenge by Canadian Mackenzie Hughes. This latest victory also extended his streak to at least one victory on the PGA Tour for 13 consecutive years, and his 21st career title puts him in elite company tying him with World Golf Hall of Famers Davis Love III and Lanny Wadkins.
Johnson, who turned 36 on Monday, is one of the game’s most commanding athletes, able to melt drives astounding distances. But this week it was largely Johnson’s exceptional putting—he was among the leaders in strokes gained throughout the week—that led him to the win. “I think any time someone hits it a long way and hits it straight, it’s impressive,” Johnson said. “But you’ve still got to get it in the hole. It doesn’t matter how far you hit it. You’ve got to get it in the hole.”
Johnson is using TaylorMade’s Truss TB1 putter, a flatstick that looks like a blade, but has an added “truss” to stabilize it. The company introduced the putter last year as an option for the golfer who wants the look of a traditional putter, with the higher forgiveness and stability of modern designs. The key is the “truss hosel,” a triangular area hidden on the heal. The concept is the same way a truss would be used on a bridge. In other words, it is designed to stabilize the putter. TaylorMade engineers wanted to offer a familiar look while providing the stability one gets from two connection points with the clubhead.
Johnson has also opted to use two hybrids, more forgiving clubs that work for the big hitter, who isn’t worried about speed or distance.
The opening round of the Travelers was dominated by Canadian Hughes, from Dundas, Ont., who chased 59, only to finish one shot short of the historic measure. Hughes, a Ping staff player, was red hot on the greens on Thursday, but stalled throughout the weekend, finishing tied for third-place. Hughes, who has only made five cuts in his last 15 starts, said the recent change to his game —he finished second at the Honda earlier this year—is a result of attacking flags.
“I just feel like this year, as opposed to a couple other years, I really made a point of trying to stay aggressive,” he said.
Dustin Johnson—What’s in the bag
Driver: TaylorMade SIM (10.5 degree)
3-wood: TaylorMade SIM MAX (15 degree)
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM MAX Rescue (19 and 22 degree)
Irons: TaylorMade P730 DJ Prototype (4-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 (52 & 60 degree)
Putter: TaylorMade Truss TB1
Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5X