Dustin Johnson celebrated his 27th birthday suggesting he is considering joining the European Tour.
With the sounds of ‘Happy Birthday’ ringing out over the speakers in the Press Centre, Johnson was handed the large chocolate cake by BMW’s popular Marco Kaussler.
Birthday boy Dustin Johnson with his rich chocolate cake
It is Johnson’s first visit to Germany and he arrived Monday morning accompanied by Martin Kaymer, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Matteo Manassero, Marcel Siem and Alex Cejka aboard a BMW owned private jet that left Washington DC on Sunday night.
“I have always wanted to travel and play more internationally, so I’m going to do that and I’m going to play a few more events overseas,” he said.
“I like visiting different countries and it’s good like this week where I can come and play golf.
“So European Tour membership is a possibility but then I would have to play three more events but yeah, it’s a possibility.”
Earlier this year, Johnson contested the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.
Johnson arrived in Munich after having finished in a share of 23rd in the U.S. Open but 19 strokes behind Rory McIlroy.
He had played the first two rounds alongside McIlroy, and while the American is still looking to get over what unfolded at last year’s U.S. Open and U.S. PGA, he’s delighted for McIlroy.
“I’ve played a bunch of golf with Rory, ever since that ’07 Walker Cup, so I’ve always known he’s good,” said Johnson.
“It was just good to see him continue his brilliant play through to the weekend, and apart from the double on Friday at 18, he didn’t put a foot wrong all week.
“But when you play four rounds like Rory did, especially at a U.S. Open, you’re going to win.
“And playing those two days with Rory and then seeing him go on and win, inspires me to go on and try and win a Major.
“Everyone saw what happened to him at the Masters, so it was good for him to come back
“I had my chances last year, so if I keep working hard it will come around.”
Organisers have grouped Johnson with Kaymer and defending BMW champion, David Horsey for the opening two rounds.
Johnson and Kaymer playing together will no doubt bring back memories of the Americans downfull last August at Whistling Straits where he grounded his club in a bunker down the right side of the 18th on the final day.
Officials deemed the waste bunker, located well behind the spectator ropes, as a bunker under the Rules of Golf and told him to add a two-stroke penalty.
The penalty cost Johnson championship glory.
And fellow American Bubba Watson, who was involved in the U.S. PGA play-off, will compete in next week’s French Open.
Johnson and Kaymer are among 16 players in the field who competed in last week’s U.S. Open.
