Dustin Johnson’s target for 2017: Just keep at it ... and win Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

World No 3 makes Middle East debut this week, but that seems only real departure from last season that he plans to implement, writes John McAuley.

World No 3 Dustin Johnson is preparing for his first tournament in the Middle East. Andrew Redington / Getty Images

ABU DHABI // It should not come as much of a surprise after a breakthrough 2016, but Dustin Johnson apparently just wants to keep on keeping on.

The world No 3 makes his Middle East debut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week, although thus far that seems the only real departure from last season that he plans to implement.

Saying that, when the previous 12 months included finally ending your major drought, and another couple of high-profile victories, why would you feel the need to mix things up? Especially if you can rightfully claim to be the most laidback guy in golf, possibly even all of sport.

So, areas of his game he wants to improve?

“I’m not really going to change too much from last year,” Johnson said on Wednesday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. “You know, continue to really work on my wedge game.”

Desire to become the sport’s undisputed top dog?

“I’m more focused on putting myself into a position to win tournaments each week,” he responded. “The world No 1 will take care of itself.”

Goals for 2017?

“I kind of keep the same goals,” he replied. “Continue to try to improve my game and just continue to put myself in position to win golf tournaments.”

Thankfully, though, his game screams. And loud.

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■ Thomas Pieters interview: From Ryder Cup rookie to big-time player

■ Event info: Schedule and everything you need to know

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One of the most explosive players on either tour, Johnson was the standout in America last season, triumphing at the US Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the BMW Championship, the penultimate event in FedEx Cup play-offs.

Meanwhile, at the Ryder Cup in October, he helped the United States wrest back the trophy from Europe for the first time in eight years, winning two points from a possible four, while he was later named the PGA Tour’s player of the year.

So, the rest of the field this week, beware. Particularly when, on first inspection of the National Course, Johnson appears to like what he sees.

“I played the front nine yesterday, so I like the front nine,” said the American, who actually began his 2017 earlier this month, with a tied-sixth finish at SBS Tournament of Champions. “I feel like it’s set up well for me. We’ll just have to see. But I feel like my game is in pretty good shape right now, so I’m looking forward to playing here.

“It’s pretty straightforward. You’ve got to drive it straight – that’s obviously one of the keys and I feel like I’m driving it pretty well right now. So hopefully we’ll have a good week.”

Anyway, Johnson probably always thought the tournament would suit him. Good friends with defending champion Rickie Fowler, and having listened to rave reviews from peers such as world No 2 Rory McIlroy, he described the decision to sign up for Abu Dhabi as “easy”.

It is just a shame McIlroy had to withdraw earlier this week with a rib injury. However, with three of the world's top 10 competing, and three of the reigning major champions here, too, Johnson feels McIlroy's omission does not cheapen the event. Or make it any more winnable.

“No, if you look at the field, it’s got a great field here, a lot of great players,” Johnson said. “Obviously Rory is a great player and no one wanted to see him pull out, including myself.

“But things happen and he had to pull out this week just so he could get himself healthy and come back and play a few events from now. I still think it’s going to be a great tournament. It’s going to be very tough to win.”

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