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Next major thirst same as first for Johnson

Springfield - World No 2 Dustin Johnson finally won his long-sought first major title at last month's US Open. Now the long-driving US star finds himself hungry for more major success.

"Absolutely. Yeah. That doesn't change," Johnson said of his major desire. "I want to win. I want to win every major. Maybe even more of a desire to get a second one."

Johnson, known for his low-key style and calm in the face of disaster, has a chance to capture his second major crown starting Thursday at the 98th PGA Championship at 7 428-yard Baltusrol, a course he liked at first sight.

"It sets up well for me off the tees," said Johnson. "It's pretty long. You've got to drive it straight. Definitely a premium on hitting the fairways. The rough's pretty deep and thick. But I like the shape to the holes, big greens with a lot of slope on them."

Johnson has a chance to overtake Australian Jason Day for the world number one ranking this week.

A victory and worse than a two-way tie for second by Day or a solo runner-up finish by Johnson and Day going 29th or worse would move the 32-year-old American into the top spot.

"It won't be on my mind," Johnson said of the extra ranking motivation.

"I just try to shoot the best score I can. If at the end of the week, if I'm on top of the leaderboard and I get to number one, obviously that would be great and be a big accomplishment."

MR CONSISTENT

This season, Johnson has had 12 top-10 finishes in 17 starts, including back-to-back wins at the US Open in Oakmont and the WGC event in Akron, Ohio. After sharing ninth at the Open Championship he tied for second at last week's Canadian Open.

"I'm feeling good. I've got a lot of confidence," Johnson said. "I feel like I've been playing really consistent all year. I feel like every week I've gone out, I've had a chance to win.

"Right now, everything is going pretty well. I'm driving it good. I'm hitting my irons good. My wedge game has really improved. That's probably the biggest difference this year is my wedge game. It's a lot sharper. I've got a lot more control with my wedges. I think that's the big difference."

Adopting a laid-back style has allowed Johnson to deal with disappointment and keep himself competitive.

"I get more frustrated than anything if I'm just struggling a little bit," Johnson said. "I'm one of those where once you push me over the edge, I can get really upset. But it takes a lot to get there.

"I get angry sometimes, but I never get too angry. It's just a game. I love it. I try to not let it get me too upset. I don't get upset over bad shots or anything like that. I've hit so many of them in my career as a golfer that hitting a bad shot doesn't really bother me."

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