Monday 4 April 2016 23:29, UK
Dustin Johnson has vowed to learn from past experiences as he aims to clinch his first major title at the Masters.
Johnson fell agonisingly short at the US Open last year, conceding the title to Jordan Spieth with a three-putt, before two consecutive rounds of 75 ended his hopes at The Open in July.
But the world No 9, who has recorded three top-10 finishes from his last four tournaments, is confident he can learn from his past experiences and break his major duck.
"I still feel like my time's coming," said Johnson. "I've just got to keep putting myself in position to have a chance to win. One of these days I will get it done.
"I don't look at any of them as scar tissue. I try to take every situation, good or bad, and just try to learn from them and use the experience that I had. You know, even like last year at the U.S. Open, to me, that gives me a lot of confidence; if I'm in that situation on Sunday, I know I can get it done.
"This year, I feel like I'm coming in with a pretty solid game. I feel like every part of my game is improving. I felt like I've got a lot of confidence in every part of my game right now, especially with my wedges. I think that's something that's going to help me around here.
"You know, I think short game and putting is the key around here. I feel like I hit the ball pretty well most of the time. I think if I chip and putt it well, bunkers well, then I'm going to compete and have a chance to win on Sunday."
Meanwhile, 2007 Masters champions Zach Johnson has been preparing for the Masters in an unusual way by setting up parts of his home course to mimic the conditions in Georgia.
"This is the one major where we play at the same site every year, so I feel like I don't need to play (the week before)," he said. "This one, I take the week off, because of what I do at home.
"The superintendent, what he does to the course.... it's not Augusta, but we make it extreme, and that helps when I get here. (He has) very, very tight lies around the greens and fast greens.
"He had our practice putting green rolling over 14 (on the stimpmetre) and he took a lot of the grain out. It's a different type of grass, but speed's speed. He actually did some other things around the greens to try to mimic here, but it was even more extreme."
Johnson, who has had a mixed bag of results this season finishing fifth in the Arnold Palmer invitational but missing the cut at the Honda Classic, declared that he always feels inspired when he steps out onto Augusta's fairways.
As he prepares to compete in his 12th Masters, the American has brought along The Open's prized Claret Jug as an extra lift.
"I saw the Claret Jug last night for the first time in a long time," he added. "Staring at that thing and touching, it gives you a lift.
"My team, if you will, of individuals, guys that I certainly trust - coaches, what-not - have had it (the Jug in their possession). I did get it back this past evening. That's what it's about. I want it to be shared.
"You're talking about two of the biggest, iconic symbols in sports. To have that honour to don the (Masters) Green Jacket and drink out of the Claret Jug is pretty special. I'm still in awe and pinching myself knowing I've got one of each."
