Andrew RedingtonWESTBURY, NY – AUGUST 24: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during round one of The Northern Trust at Glen Oaks Club on August 24, 2017 in Westbury, New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — Ever since Dustin Johnson's stumble down a staircase and subsequent withdrawal from the Masters, we've seen glimpses of his pre-April self. Brief flashes of the guy who won three straight times, took over the No. 1 ranking in the world and did it with ease. On Thursday at The Northern Trust, D.J. made golf look easy again, posting a five-under 65 that has him just one back of leader Russell Henley.
The 2016 U.S. Open champion got off to a slow start, making bogey on the par-3 second at Glen Oaks Club, but quickly bounced back with a birdie at the par-5 third. From there, he played with steady confidence, adding five more birdies and not dropping another shot. After the round, he posed a scary though for the re..

Harry HowRob Oppenheim reacts to a missed putt on the 12th hole during the first round at the 2017 Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club.There are gluttons for punishment, and then there is Rob Oppenheim.
In 2015, the former NCAA D-II champion from Rollins College finished No. 26 on the Web.com Tour money list, one measly spot out of earning a PGA Tour card for the second time in his journeyman career. He earned some redemption, though, when he snuck into the No. 25 spot in the final event of the Web.com Tour Finals Series to earn a PGA Tour card by $101.
In 2016, unable to hold on to his PGA Tour card, Oppenheim went to the Web.com Tour Finals Series again and was No. 26 heading into the Web.com Tour Championship, just $392 out of the 25th spot that would have gotten him back to the big leagues. But Hurriance Mathew rolled through Florida and forced tour officials to cancel the Tour Championship, keeping Oppenheim from getting the chance to move inside the number. (As my colleague like..

Streeter Lecka(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)Joaquin Niemann has enjoyed a prosperous 2017. The 18-year-old qualified for the U.S. Open, made the cut at the Greenbrier Classic and won three professional events in his native Chile. Finishing the summer as the No. 1 ranked amateur bestowed another honor: the Mark H. McCormack Medal.
The award, now in it's 11th year of existence and handed out by the USGA and R&A, grants Niemann entry into next year's U.S. Open and Open Championship, so long as he stays amateur. (He's committed to play for the University of South Florida.) Niemann becomes the first player from South America to capture the title.
“Joaquin Niemann has consistently returned impressive results, especially in high-profile events, and the USGA is pleased to see his steady play recognized with the McCormack Medal,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director. “We look forward to watching Joaquin succeed for many years to come.”
Past winners of the M..

Ryan YoungOLD WESTBURY, NY – AUGUST 23: Jason Day talks with his Military Caddie during practice for THE NORTHERN TRUST at Glen Oaks Club on August 23, 2017, in Old Westbury, New York. (Photo by Ryan Young/PGA TOUR)OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — Regardless of how this week's Northern Trust turns out, Jason Day is already planning on having a few drinks on Sunday night the next time he's in the New York City area. Sure, the upcoming Presidents Cup being played right outside the Big Apple lends itself to potential big nights out on the town, but the Aussie is more concerned with the company he keeps than the location.
“I think we would like to have a really good bond session on Sunday night. Have a few drinks with the boys would really set that off,” Day said of his Presidents Cup teammates. “Because really as a team, the American Team, you see them, I talked to — Rickie Fowler was with me at a Zurich outing on Monday and I said, what did you do over the last weekends. He said he was o..

Ryan YoungOLD WESTBURY, NY – AUGUST 23: Jason Day talks with his Military Caddie during practice for THE NORTHERN TRUST at Glen Oaks Club on August 23, 2017, in Old Westbury, New York. (Photo by Ryan Young/PGA TOUR)OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — Regardless of how this week's Northern Trust turns out, Jason Day plans on having a few drinks on Sunday night. Sure, it doesn't hurt that the tournament is being played close to New York City, but the Aussie is more concerned with the company he keeps than the location.
“I think we would like to have a really good bond session on Sunday night. Have a few drinks with the boys would really set that off,” Day said of his potential Presidents Cup teammates. “Because really as a team, the American Team, you see them, I talked to — Rickie Fowler was with me at a Zurich outing on Monday and I said, what did you do over the last weekends. He said he was on Long Island and went to Liberty National and was with Jordan and J.T. and the whole team — pr..