Dustin Johnson's wedge play vital in 2016 progress says Jason Day
Thursday 22 September 2016 10:40, UK
Jason Day has credited Dustin Johnson with a huge improvement in his wedge play for putting pressure on the Australian's world No 1 spot.
Johnson made his major championship breakthrough this summer when he won the US Open and he goes into this week's Tour Championship in Atlanta as favourite to win the $10m (£7.7m) bonus which goes to the FedEx Cup champion.
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The American has always been thought of as an elite striker of the ball off the tee and with his longer irons, but Day feels his short game has come on in leaps and bounds in 2016 and helped him become the game's second-ranked player.
Day says Johnson spends long hours on the range using a TrackMan device to calibrate his shots down to minute levels and improve his accuracy from within 100 yards of the green.
"Every morning he's got a TrackMan behind him hitting shots, so he knows exactly what his wedges are doing, how far they're going, all that stuff," Day said as he continued his Tour Championship preparations.
"Three things for him to be successful are driving, wedges and putting ... and that's what he's doing great right now. His wedges have improved, his driving has always been great, and it's even better now he's hitting a cut.
"He used to hit a tiny little draw, but he's a lot more accurate with the cut and he's long, the longest guy out here.
"You add the length with great driving, you have wedge in your hand more times and once you improve those wedges you have more opportunities for birdies.
"And if you putt half-decently, and he's putting better than half decent, he's going to win a lot of tournaments. It's a formula for success."
Day, fourth in the FedEx Cup standings even though he has not been in his very best form since cracking his driver in June, will clinch the $10m jackpot if he wins the Tour Championship on Sunday.
"When you have a lot of confidence and you feel nobody can beat you, it's game over for everyone else," he added.
