Dustin Johnson not thinking about past Ryder Cup defeats for the US
Thursday 29 September 2016 16:45, UK
Dustin Johnson has insisted that the run of US defeats in the Ryder Cup are irrelevant ahead of this week's contest at Hazeltine National.
Johnson revealed that Davis Love's team are not dwelling on the failures of the past and are determined to look forward as they bid to reclaim the cup for the first time since 2008.
The US Open champion will be making his third appearance this week having played in 2010 and 2012, although he missed the last Ryder Cup at Gleneagles as he took several months away from the game to deal with personal issues.
Love was also captain when the US were stunned by Europe's astonishing final-day comeback at Medinah four years ago, but Johnson insisted that defeat has not been discussed in the team room at Hazeltine.
"In golf, it's one sport, and maybe a defensive back in the NFL, you need to have short memory. So we haven't talked about Medinah at all," said Johnson, who is one of the few players in the US team with a winning record, having won four and lost three of his seven matches.
"You know, we're looking forward to this week and these matches and this first session we have coming up on Friday morning. No talk about Medinah.
"I mean, the only thing that matters is this Ryder Cup, and going out and trying to play your best golf and get as many points as you can for your team.
"I don't think about what's happened in the past. I've just got to go out tomorrow morning, or whenever I go out, and play, and you know, try to play my best and get a point for my team."
Johnson admitted it was difficult to watch the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles during his absence from competitive golf, but he believes the enforced break was of huge benefit to him going forward.
"It was definitely hard to watch in 2014, because obviously I had made the team, but you know, elected not to participate; but to work on myself," he added.
"I think it's paid off a lot, as you can see, over the last couple years how well my performance has been. And so to me, it was the best thing for me at that time. I can see it paying off tenfold right now.
"This year, I come in playing really well and got a lot of confidence in the game. I'm really looking forward to this year's Ryder Cup."
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