ERIN, Wis. _ For nearly 30 years, Curtis Strange has carried the designation as the last man to win back-to-back U.S. Opens. The further we get from 1988-89, the prouder he carries it.
"Oh, yeah. Absolutely," Strange said. "But I'm a bit concerned this week."
And with that, Strange let out a huge laugh.
The Fox Sports analyst likes Dustin Johnson's chances to repeat. So do the oddsmakers. Johnson is the favorite at 7{-1, with Jason Day next at 12-1.
"We're at a bomber's paradise, and the best player in the world is the bomber," Strange said. "Wherever DJ plays, he's the longest out there. He did lose momentum because of the injury at the Masters, but I have a feeling he'll be amped this week."
Johnson withdrew from the Masters minutes before his first-round tee time after what he called a "freak accident" _ injuring his back during a fall at his rental home one day earlier.
He has played four times since then, registering three top-15 finishes and oddly missing the cut at the Memorial two weeks ago.
Last year at Oakmont, Johnson wasn't fazed by the USGA's mishandling of a penalty stroke incurred after his ball moved on the fifth green. Johnson sparkled down the stretch and won by three shots.
"I admire the hell out of him for last year," Strange said. "It was a very, very difficult situation."
