Reigning US Open champion Dustin Johnson warmed-up for this week’s Open Championship and delighting spectators by hitting a practice ball off the first tee onto the nearby beach at Royal Troon.

Johnson pulled out the driver and surprised even his fellow practice round competitors Gary Woodland and Jamie Lovemark along with England’s Luke Donald in hitting the practice shot.

However, given the overcast conditions there was not a soul within any distance of Johnson’s ball.

Dustin Johnson surprises even his practice round playing partners hitting a ball onto the beach off the first tee this morning at Royal Troon. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Johnson is returning to competition after winning a first Major Championship last month at Oakmont and then a fortnight later capturing the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational title.

The big-hitting American, who is playing his first Royal Troon practice in the company of Woodland, who is even longer off the tee, had spent the later of last week again playing some of the finest links courses in Ireland.

“Dustin likes playing in Ireland the week before and he’s just had two great days playing Portmarnock and The Island club in Dublin,” said manager David Winkle.

Dustin Johnson finds the fairway with his first official practice shot in the 145th Open. (Pnoto – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“He finds it a great way to get used to the conditions and courses that you then experience in playing The Open.

“So he’s in good shape and looking forward to the week.”

It will be Johnson’s eighth straight appearance in golf’s oldest Major and with his best finish in sharing second place in 2011 behind Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke at Royal St. George’s.