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Brian Hurlburt

Butch Harmon compares Dustin Johnson’s game to Tiger Woods’

Tiger Woods, right, reacts with Dustin Johnson, left, after finishing on the 18th hole of the south course during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
United States Dustin Johnson talks to United States vice-captain Tiger Woods on the fifth hole during a practice round for the Ryder Cup golf tournament Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson tosses his ball to his caddy on the 18th green during the final round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson pumps his fist after winning the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. Johnson finished 24 under par. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson tips his cap after winning the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson hits from the 15th fairway during the final round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson chips onto the 15th green during the final round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson tosses his ball to his caddy on the 18th green during the final round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the 15th tee during the final round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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By Brian Hurlburt Special to the Review-Journal
January 9, 2018 - 2:20 pm
 

Renowned golf instructor Butch Harmon said he hasn’t witnessed domination like Dustin Johnson displayed last week since Tiger Woods was at his pinnacle in the early 2000s.

Johnson shot 24 under par and cruised to an eight-stroke victory in the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii.

Harmon, who operates his golf school at Rio Secco in Henderson, is an expert on the subject because he was Woods’ swing coach during his best years and now works with Johnson.

“The sky is the limit for him this year,” Harmon said. “What we saw last week we haven’t seen since Tiger in that when Dustin is on, nobody can beat him and the other guys are aware of that. I never thought I would say that after watching Tiger do it, but I think Dustin is at that point now.

“Dustin spent some time with me just before Christmas, and his goal was to take the left side of the course out of play. He was concerned at the end of last year that he wasn’t able to hit a fade off of the tee as consistently as he would like to. We worked very hard on syncing up his arm swing and his body rotation, which was a little off. At Kapalua, it was probably the best he has ever driven it.”

Harmon said he’s hopeful Woods will become competitive again. He’s scheduled to play at the Farmers Insurance Open from Jan. 26 to 29 at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

“I am looking forward to seeing how he plays, and I would really like to see him healthy for a whole year and then we can see if he can start making some cuts and show some consistency,” Harmon said. “If he can do that and prove to himself that he is back and his game is capable of competing with these young guys, I think it would be the greatest thing that ever happened.”

Woods is without a swing coach, and Harmon understands he continually will be asked about a reunion.

“If he would like some help or to get my opinion, I would be more than happy to give him that,” Harmon said. “I respect Tiger Woods tremendously. I had a great 10 years with him. I think he is the greatest player I have ever seen. Jack Nicklaus is the greatest champion, but Tiger is the greatest player.”

Harmon also works with Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Jimmie Walker and Nick Watney. He said all of them are capable of having a huge year, especially Fowler, who has contended in several majors but never won one.

“Rickie is driving it the best he ever has, and his confidence is very high,” Harmon said. “He just needs to believe in himself a little more and relax on the weekend. He wants to win a major so badly that I think he just pushes a little too hard, and we have talked about that and he realizes that. I really think he’s going to win a major this year.”

Weekly deal

The Chili Bowl is scheduled for Jan. 19 at Club at Sunrise. For $29, golfers get their round, an open chili bar, contests and a free drink.

Stars on, off course

KPMG PGA Championship winner Danielle Kang worked on drills at TPC Summerlin in preparation for the season.

The golf notebook appears Wednesdays. Freelance writer Brian Hurlburt is a two-time author who has covered golf in Las Vegas for more than two decades. He can be reached at bhurlburt5@gmail.com or @LVGolfInsider.

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