MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Dustin Johnson is here.
Less than a week after withdrawing from the 3M Open due to a back injury, the world’s fifth-ranked golfer was out on the course at TPC Southwind Tuesday ahead of this week’s World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
Johnson, who won the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind in 2012 and 2018, left last week’s event after he shot a 7-over 78 in the first round. He also missed the cut at The Memorial earlier this month with back-to-back scores of 80.
It was the worst 36-hole stretch of his career and called into question whether he would play in Memphis with the PGA Championship looming next week.
But Johnson was on the driving range and then teed off for a practice round Tuesday at a course and an event that has been kind to him over the years.
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The 18th hole at TPC Southwind even features a commemorative plaque in the ground from the spot where Johnson holed out to win in 2018.
You can reach Memphis Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto via email at mgiannotto@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter: @mgiannotto
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