Dustin Johnson's game rounds into form before reaching Augusta

A last-minute decision to get more preparation before the Masters Tournament has given Dustin Johnson a little more confidence entering the week.

Johnson started the WGC-Match Play event on a rough note two weeks ago by losing an early match, but he came back to win his group and advance to the quarterfinals.

Before making his charge into bracket play, Johnson had decided to play the following week at the Shell Houston Open to get more work before the Masters. However, he didn’t anticipate that his game would start rounding into form.

“I felt after the first day in Austin at the WGC, I just was a little rusty and didn’t look like I was going to go very far,” Johnson said. “So, I said, ‘Maybe I’ll play next week so I can get a few more competitive rounds in.’ But I ended up playing well the next four rounds and made it a lot further than it was looking like after I lost the first match.”

Johnson carried his strong match play finish into Houston, where he placed third at 13-under. It is his fifth top-10 finish in eight events this year.

He said he came to Augusta last Sunday through Tuesday to prepare for the Masters, but he didn’t fully flip the switch into major-tournament mode until he registered Monday morning.

“When I drove in to register, that would be when it kind of sinks in and you start really preparing yourself for this week,” he said.

Johnson, 31, posted his best Masters finish last year by tying for sixth, including rounds of 67 and 69. He set a tournament record with three eagles during Friday’s 67.

Known as a big hitter, Johnson surprises few when he cards multiple eagles over four days at Augusta National Golf Club. But he said it takes a well-rounded game to get the job done, which is something he showed on a more consistent basis the past two weeks and at last year’s Masters.

“This is a golf course, I think, that a lot of things have got to go your way to have a chance to win on Sunday,” he said. “You’ve got to be doing everything well.”