World No. 2 Johnson "WGC Series Last Stand"... What About 'Tokyo Olympics Gold' Shofley?

'Star Wars' FedEx St. Jude Invitational, Thomas 'Title Defense', Kepka 'Rematch', Im Sungjae and Kim Siwoo Compete

World No. 2 Dustin Johnson challenges for his second win of the 2021 season at the FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 2 Dustin Johnson has made a 'do-or-die' move.

Having even given up his Tokyo Olympic ticket, he is fully focused on preparing for the PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Invitational (total prize money $10.5 million), which kicks off on the 6th (Korean time) at Southwind Golf Club in Memphis, Tennessee (par 70, 7,233 yards). This tournament is especially famous as a 'money feast' in the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, with a winner's prize of a whopping $1.82 million (2.1 billion KRW). Justin Thomas is defending his title, and world stars such as 'The Open Champion' Collin Morikawa and 'Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist' Xander Schauffele (all from the USA) have all gathered.

Johnson won a total of four times, including three wins in the 2020 season and one in the 2021 season, setting a new milestone with the lowest winning score ever at the 2021 Fall Masters (20-under 268). This year, he also gained momentum by winning the European Tour's Saudi International in February. His cut-off at the Masters in April was unexpected. He also withdrew just before the May AT&T Byron Nelson due to knee pain, suffering from overlapping injuries. After dedicated rehabilitation, he has reassembled his form with a tie for 10th at the Palmetto Championship in June and a tie for 8th at The Open in July.

It is important to note that Johnson is a 'WGC Slammer.' He swept four different WGC series trophies: the 2013 HSBC Champions, the 2015 Workday Championship (then Cadillac Championship), this tournament in 2016 (Bridgestone Invitational), and the 2017 Dell Technologies Match Play. It is welcome news that 'Number 1' Jon Rahm (Spain) is absent. He is taking two consecutive weeks off following a COVID-19 diagnosis, including missing the Tokyo Olympics.

'Tokyo Olympic gold medalist' Zander Shofley is aiming for consecutive victories in the special match for two weeks in a row.

Thomas, Morikawa, Schauffele, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) crossed the Pacific right after the Tokyo Olympics. The PGA Tour has named 2019 champion Brooks Koepka as the 'top favorite.' He has been particularly strong in this tournament, with a record low winning score in 2019 (16-under 264) and a runner-up finish last year. 'Olympic no-shows' like 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth (both USA) have also joined the competition for the title.

Korea is represented by Im Sung-jae (23), ranked 27th in the world, and Kim Si-woo (26), who is participating as the American Express Champion from February. Both players are left with regrets after missing out on medals at the Tokyo Olympics. Im Sung-jae especially came close to the medal zone with an 8-under daily best on the third day but slipped to a tie for 22nd on the final day, leaving a bitter taste. Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics), winner of the May AT&T Byron Nelson, is also looking for an opportunity.