Dustin Johnson rattled off an 8-under 64 at the Memorial Tournament on Thursday in the first round to take home the clubhouse lead after 18 holes. He's up one on Brendan Steele.

The only first round lower than that at this tournament in the last six years is the 63 Rory McIlroy shot to open the 2014 edition. He went on to finish T15. Hideki Matsuyama and Bo Van Pelt both shot 64 last year in the first round. Matsuyama finished T5. Van Pelt finished T40.

But Johnson looks primed to win for the first time this season and extend his PGA Tour-leading streak of consecutive seasons with a win to nine in a row. The key on Thurday? He gained over three strokes on the field with his putter. When DJ does that, he's borderline unbeatable.

His hiccup has been not being able to seal the deal of late.

And it was that infamous U.S. Open from last year that was on the minds of reporters after Johnson's crazy 64 on Thursday at Muirfield Village.

"I don't know if anyone's aware of it, but I've played 20 freaking tournaments since Chambers Bay," Johnson said defiantly after his round. "It's not that I'll be OK. I am OK. I mean, I'm playing the Memorial. So I've got a lot of other things to worry about than the U.S. Open. I'll worry about it when I get there."

Good for him for saying that. Golfers get pigeonholed too often into "winners" and "losers." We don't paint broadly enough when talking about how good players are. And Johnson is really, really good.

Spieth recently called him "arguably the most talented golfer on the PGA Tour," and he is.

Will that add up to holding off Jason Day and others for his first win of 2016 and all the hype he'll have going to Oakmont in two weeks? It might. Just don't ask him about it.

dustinjohnson6216.jpg
DJ leads in Ohio. USATSI