tour against a side desperate to end a decade-long w

TROON, Scotland -- The smile spoke louder than anything Dustin Johnson had to say Wednesday at the British Open.His game has never been better. Just one month ago, Johnson was known as golfs best athlete who had won every year he has been on the PGA Tour -- the longest streak since Tiger Woods -- but who had everything go wrong in the majors.Now hes the U.S. Open champion and a favorite at the British Open who can move to No. 1 in the world with a victory.But thats not what brought the biggest smile.It was a question about whether he could think of anything that stressed him out.Anyone who has spent time around the 32-year-old American during his eight years and 11 victories on tour -- and finally, a major -- knows Johnson doesnt get too worked up over anything. Not the two-shot penalty on the final ..................... of the 2010 PGA Championship for grounding his club in a bunker (I still dont think that was a bunker, he said). Not the three-putt from 12 feet that cost him a shot at the U.S. Open last year.Not even a peculiar decision by the USGA at Oakmont last month in which officials told him he might be penalized one stroke after his round, meaning Johnson had to play the last seven ........... not knowing his own score. He played them in even par to win by three.Another question: Has the attention as a major champion been difficult to manage?He smiled.I havent noticed, Johnson said.Johnson is that rare breed of golfer who can manage to entertain without being all that revealing.Even so, his level of comfort was never more evident, particularly when he finished his 20-minute news conference. Walking down from the stage, he plopped his 6-foot-4 frame on the top step and held court with a small group of reporters to talk about his strategy at Royal Troon, his equipment change for a week of links golf (a 2-iron and 3-iron, only three wedges) and how many shots he has to give his future father-in-law, hockey great Wayne Gretzky, when they play.He wont play with me, Johnson said. He only plays if he can be my partner.Who can blame the Great One for that?Coming off victories in the U.S. Open and a World Golf Championship, Johnson has moved past Jordan Spieth to No. 2 in the world, still trailing by a decent margin Jason Day at No. 1. Those are based on numbers. The eye test would suggest Johnson might be the player to beat this week, especially equipped with all that confidence.Johnson was told he was a co-favorite with Day among the bookies. He was asked if he was good with that or if he ever cared.Another smile.Honestly, I dont care, he said. I mean, I like my chances. But I go into every tournament liking my chances.The mystery is Royal Troon, a links Johnson had never seen until he arrived after a weekend in Ireland. He was told the opening three ........... are par 4s that measure under 400 yards, and that seemed to intrigue him. Playing the last few days with the prevailing wind at his back, he hit driver on them and could get it near the green on all but the second ...................... The objective on that one is to keep it just short of the greenside bunkers.He reached the 555-yard fourth ..................... with a driver and a 5-iron.Theres not an individual here ... very surprised by whats going on, defending champion Zach Johnson said. Hes a supreme athlete, and it just so happens that his sport -- for all of us, unfortunately -- is golf. Very talented. I mean, we talk about his prowess. Theres not that many guys that can do what he does.Spieth, his partner at the Presidents Cup last year, has been preaching for months that he has the most talent on tour and that winning a major was only a matter of time. Spieth said this again two weeks before the U.S. Open.I think it was just floodgates opening, which Ive said for a long time now, Spieth said. It happened, and it happened again. So its no surprise.Johnsons long strides look more like a swagger when hes playing well. His confidence is obvious. Still, he keeps everything so simple -- his golf included -- that he still recognizes he has to play good golf over 72 ........... to have a chance.I dont expect any more from myself, he said. I always expect to come out and perform and to contend. But I mean, its definitely a little bit different coming out and not trying to win that first major. Thats the biggest difference. Falcons Jerseys Sale . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Falcons Jerseys Store . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. http://www.cheapatlantafalconsjerseys.com/ . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Falcons Jerseys Online . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Falcons Jerseys Hoodies . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Sam Thaiday has been passed fit to face England in Sundays Four Nations clash at the London Olympic Stadium after passing a fitness test on his injured knee.The veteran forward sustained the problem against New Zealand last week and was rated as 50-50 to play against the hosts but coach Mal Meninga said having Thaiday at his disposal means hell have his best possible 17 available to him.Sams fine and thats exciting, well have our full strength side on the field, Meninga said.Were looking forward to putting on a good performance and better executing what we have done in the last two games.Skipper Cameron Smith said Thaidays inclusion is a huge boost ahead of what he expects to be the toughest match of the tour against a side desperate to end a decade-long wait for a victory over the Kangaroos.A win or a draw for England will ensure they face Australia, who are already through to the final after Scotlands shock draw with New Zealand on Friday in Workington.Its important for us. Hes in our best 17 and hes had a great tour so far, Smith said.Hes great for the squad with the type of character he is. The most important thing is that hes a great footy player.Smith believes Wayne Bennett will have England primed for this match afteer two underwhelming displays against the Kiwis and Scotland in their opening two matches.ddddddddddddTheyve got a bit of a sniff now after Scotlands draw, Smith said.The talk all week was by how much, but now they just have to win to be in the final. Thats probably a bit of extra motivation for their side.But take away what happened last night ... Wayne would have had these guys geared up for a solid performance.England or Great Britain havent beaten Australia for 10 years and London has historically been a happy hunting ground against the tourists in the past.In 1990 and 1994 two powerful Kangaroos sides were put to the sword and Smith said he is expecting a ferocious battle.Traditionally the Kangaroos havent done so well in London, he said.History shows we havent had good results here. This side will be out to change that.Kangaroos team: Darius Boyd, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Matt Gillett, Boyd Cordner, Trent Merrin. Interchange: David Klemmer, Tyson Frizell, Sam Thaiday, Michael Morgan. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '