It came as no surprise that big-hitting Dustin Johnson found a way to get back into contention, but what’s dropping jaws at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is the manner in which he got there – without making a single birdie on the par-5 holes of the National course in three rounds so far.
Under normal circumstances, Johnson tends to make a mockery of par-5s. In 2016, he averaged 313.6 yards off the tee on the PGA Tour (second in driving distance stat to JB Holmes), and converted 52.24 per cent of par-5 holes into birdies or better (third in par-5 conversion stat behind Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth).
In Abu Dhabi this week, in the 12 par-5s that he has played so far in three rounds, he is yet to make a birdie. The only deviation from par came yesterday on the eighth hole, where he chipped in for an eagle.
However, six birdies on other holes ensured a superb card of eight-under par 64, elevating the American to tied second place at 12-under par.
Johnson, who reached the golf course on Friday just 25 minutes before his tee time as jet-lag messed up his sleep, made the turn yesterday at five-under par, and then closed with birdies on the 15th, 16th and 17th.
The only person who did not seem too impressed with his round was Johnson himself.
In his own casual, understated way, he said: “I played a little bit better today. The biggest difference, I drove it better. I hit a lot more fairways today than I have been. Holed a few putts.
“I still have to birdie a par 5, but I did make an eagle on eighth today. I chipped one in. But yeah, it was a really solid round.
“Finally, I got a good night’s sleep. I even got up and went to the gym this morning before I teed off. Definitely by far the best day I’ve been feeling out on the golf course.”
On his par-5 performance, Johnson added: “No. I am not frustrated or disappointed.
“It’s been a while since I did not make a birdie on par-5s so deep into the tournament. But you know, I feel like I’ve given myself some good looks. I hit the flag on the second hole with a wedge shot. I’ve had a lot of good looks. Just haven’t really holed anything on the par 5s.
“I think I will go out and make four birdies on them tomorrow.”
