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Perfect Johnson 4-0 in Ryder Cup team play

Steve MegargeeAAP
Dustin Johnson has a perfect 4-0 record after two days of Ryder Cup play at Whistling Straits.
Camera IconDustin Johnson has a perfect 4-0 record after two days of Ryder Cup play at Whistling Straits. Credit: EPA

Dustin Johnson has helped the United States take a commanding lead in the Ryder Cup by doing something no American golfer has accomplished in over four decades - sweeping all four of his team matches.

Johnson went undefeated over two days at Whistling Straits to help the US lead Europe 11-5 heading into Sunday's singles matches.

He's the first American since Larry Nelson in 1979 to go 4-0 in team play.

"Everything's been working for Dustin," said Collin Morikawa, who teamed with Johnson on three of those victories.

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The 37-year-old Johnson is the oldest player on a young US team and has provided occasional guidance to a team featuring six Ryder Cup rookies.

Johnson entered this week with a 7-9 record in four previous Ryder Cup appearances.

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"We are all close, so we all talk and share our experiences, especially guys who have played in them," Johnson said.

"Yeah, I've definitely talked to (teammates), especially all the guys who haven't played before."

But the best way he's led is by example. He teamed up with Ryder Cup rookies in each of his victories.

Johnson and Morikawa won 3 and 2 over Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland in Friday's foursomes competition.

They won in foursomes again Saturday 2 and 1 over Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton.

And they followed that up Saturday afternoon by beating Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy 4 and 3 in a best-ball matchup.

Johnson also joined forces with Xander Schauffele to win a Friday afternoon best-ball competition 2 and 1 over Bernd Wiesberger and Paul Casey.

This represents a dramatic turnaround from his last Ryder Cup appearance when Johnson went 1-4 three years ago.

"The golf course suits me a little bit better here than Paris, for sure," Johnson said.

"But yeah, I mean, that's just how it goes."

A singles victory over Casey on Sunday would enable Johnson to match the accomplishment of Nelson, who beat Seve Ballesteros in singles to finish 5-0 while leading the US to a victory in 1979.

Francesco Molinari produced Europe's first 5-0 Ryder Cup performance three years ago.

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