Dustin Johnson was the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2016 after winning three times, including his first ever major win at the U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Johnson's father-in-law, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, wants to make sure he aims even higher in 2017, and wants Johnson to be more like Tiger Woods in his approach for this season. Gretzky told Alan Shipnuck of Golf Magazine that the best, like himself and Woods, have the mentality to always strive for more and he wants Johnson to take on that mentality.
"If I scored 50 goals in a season, I wanted 70 the next year," said Gretzky. "If I got 70, I wanted 90. Never, ever settle. I've told Dustin he has to be more like Tiger. I don't mean he has to be Tiger -- you only get a few athletes like that a century. But part of what made Tiger Tiger was relentlessness. Dustin just won three tournaments and a major. That's a great year. Now go win five tournaments and two majors. I want him to see that only he can put limits on himself."
While he hits the ball farther than almost anyone on the PGA Tour, Johnson is not known for having an aggressive personality. He's among the most laid back individuals on the golf course, and that even-keeled temperament can be one of his best attributes.
It seems as though The Great One wants to make sure that Johnson's calm demeanor doesn't become apathy. There are few players with the talent of Johnson and as he's brought the mental side up to speed with the physical side, we've seen the results. If he takes on a ruthless demeanor towards trying to win every week, it could be a scary proposition for the rest of the PGA Tour.
