Dustin Johnson popped up on another leader board during the first round of the Northern Trust. Even less surprising? He didn’t have much to say when asked about the dig Brooks Koepka took at his major championship resumé ahead of the final round of the PGA Championship earlier this month.
“I like my chances,” Koepka said after the third round at TPC Harding Park. “When I’ve been in this position before, I’ve capitalized. I don’t know, [DJ’s] only won one.”
Despite his confidence, the four-time major champ stumbled on Sunday. He has since expressed regret for his comments—although not for singling out Johnson’s single major, but rather for glossing over the rest of the contenders that included eventual winner Collin Morikawa.
In any event, Johnson, who is playing in his first event since finishing T-2 in the year’s first major, was finally asked about Koepka’s comments that drew so much attention and even caused Rory McIlroy to come to Johnson’s defense. Here was DJ’s typically low-key response.
“It doesn’t matter,” Johnson said after shooting an opening 67 at TPC Boston that has him three shots off the early pace set by Harris English. “It doesn’t bother me. He can think whatever he wants.”
Johnson also didn’t seem bothered by his latest close call in a major.
“I played really well. I mean, I played solid,” Johnson said. “Generally with the lead shooting 68 at a major on Sunday, nine times out of ten you’re going to win.”
Of course, what made Koepka’s jab at Johnson so newsworthy is that they are good friends. Or, at least, used to be good friends.