Butch Harmon on Dustin Johnson's impressive start at TPC Sawgrass

Butch Harmon

Golf Columnist

Friday 11 May 2018 01:40, UK

Butch Harmon looks back on a day of low scoring at the Players Championship and reflects on an impressive start from Dustin Johnson.

I think the golf course is in perfect condition. The wind never came up like we thought it would and the course has been a little more receptive than it normally is.

The play has been spectacular and the quality of the golf was unbelievable for most of the day. It has just been amazing golf and the scoring was fantastic.

DJ had to clean up a few things in his swing and he was worked very hard this week in doing that. He put a new putter in the bag this week with a new smaller head and he putted beautifully.

All the talk this week was about the possibility of him losing his world No 1 status, even if Justin Thomas misses the cut, but Johnson is very proud to be top of the world rankings. He likes being in that position and I use that as a little incentive for him and he played beautifully.

Rory McIlroy finished under and you can never say that's a bad round, but I think he would have expected more from himself today. It's only round one though, so he will be able to turn it around and get back in good shape.

The marquee group really hasn't marqueed today! Phil Mickelson was all over the place and Rickie Fowler hasn't played well, while Tiger Woods also struggled during the opening round.

Woods is still having issues with that driver but if he can get that sorted out then that'll really be something. The way he eagled the ninth shows he's always going to keep fighting and scraping.

The faster and more firmer this course plays, the more difficult it is. You'd rather see it more challenging than it be too easy. People will say this must have been easy today, but this course is never easy.

If you drive the ball well on to the fairways it allows you attack the pins and as good as the greens are, you can make putts. Good shots are rewarded and there have been a lot of them during that first round!