The Open: Dustin Johnson won't use power surge

Ryder Cup star Dustin Johnson is one of the longest hitters in the game but believes it will be patience and not power which gets him across the line at The Open.

The 29-year-old has been in the PGA Tour’s top five for driving since his debut in 2007, averaging more than 310 yards.

But with Muirfield running firm and fast, the American concedes trying to blast out the course is unlikely to be the way forward.

And even though Johnson (above) is paired with fellow big-hitters Bubba Watson and Nicolas Colsaerts for the first two days, there will be no attempt to out-do one another.

“All three know we hit it far and about the same distance — I just want to hit it in the fairway more than they do,” he said. “At this point I don’t need to hit it further than them, I need to hit it straighter. There are a lot of different ways you can attack this course.

“Depending on the wind I might not hit any drivers. There is not really any need because it’s not that much of an advantage.

“Downwind I can hit a three-iron 290 maybe further because it’s pretty fast.

“You have to be very patient as you don’t attack these courses as much as you would back home.”