Dustin Johnson Looks to Defend Title This Week in Memphis

Dustin Johnson comes into this week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis as the defending champion. Just like last year, the Loxahatchee River resident comes into the event battling early season health issues.

Dustin Johnson won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2012. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Dustin Johnson won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2012. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

In 2012, Johnson started the season on a tear. He ripped off three straight top ten finishes in the month of February before a back injury sidelined him for nearly three months. In his second start back from the injury, Johnson shot rounds of 70-68-67-66 to earn a one shot victory and keep his win streak going. Since joining the PGA Tour in 2008, Johnson has won at least one tournament every year.

Johnson’s 2013 season has gotten off to a similar start. He opened up the season with a win at the Tournament of Champions, extending his win streak.  Since that win though, Johnson has struggled. He has shown signs that his back issues have returned, playing in only three events since the end of March. Out of those three, the only event he was able to complete was the Masters when he finished in a tie for 13th. Since then, he has had to withdraw from The Players Championship after the first round and missed the cut this past weekend at the Memorial.

Johnson hopes that just like last year, the TPC Southwind course is just the medicine the doctor ordered. Dustin is grouped with Brand Snedeker and Davis Love III in the first two rounds. Just like Johnson, Snedeker is all too familiar with an injury derailing a season. Snedeker has been battling with a rib injury for most of the season.

Dustin and his two playing partners will tee off at 1:27pm on Thursday and 8:27am Friday. For complete coverage of the FedEx St. Jude Classic visit www.pgatour.com.