The Open: Dustin Johnson on Troon mission to prove he is '˜best in the world'

After several near-misses, Johnson finally claimed an overdue major title in the US Open last month, despite controversially being penalised a shot during the final round at Oakmont.

The 32-year-old then returned to action a fortnight later and won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational to become only the second player after Tiger Woods to have won three different World Golf Championships events.

And another victory at Royal Troon this week would take Johnson to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career, as long as current No 1 Jason Day finishes outside the top 10.

“It’s definitely something I’d like to get to,” said Johnson, who is joint favourite with Day at 9-1. “I’ve still got a little way to go. Jason’s in front of me pretty well, so I’ve just got to keep putting myself in position to win golf tournaments and keep getting it done.

“I like my chances, but I go into every tournament liking my chances. I always feel like I’m the best player in the world, but that’s just me. I’ve got a lot of confidence in my game. Obviously I’m playing very well right now.

“I always expect to come out and perform and to contend. But it’s definitely a little bit different coming out and not trying to win that first major. That’s the biggest difference. It’s a good feeling, for sure. On Sunday, if I’m in contention, just knowing that I can get it done is a big confidence-booster coming down the stretch.

“If I have my best stuff, I believe (I am going to win).”

American players have won the last six Open Championships staged at Troon and despite the emphasis placed on his length off the tee, Johnson has always embraced the challenge of links golf.

“The first time I came over was in college,” added Johnson, who led after 36 holes at St Andrews last year before fading over the weekend. “We played a tournament at St Andrews Bay and played a couple of other courses and then I came back a couple years later (2007) and played the Walker Cup at Royal County Down.

“Ever since the first time I came over I just liked it. I thought it was something different than we play on week-in, week-out in the US, or even around the world. You’ve got to use a lot of your imagination. You’ve got to hit all kinds of different shots throughout the day.”

Johnson’s power off the tee will still come in handy, however, with the prevailing wind making the first three holes driveable and the par-five fourth (560 yards) and sixth (601 yards) reachable in two.

“On one I can drive it up right next to the green and same on three,” Johnson said. “On four, it’s a driver and a five iron.”

Todd Hamilton was ranked 56th in the world when he surprisingly defeated Ernie Els in a play-off at Troon in 2004, but since Darren Clarke and Keegan Bradley won the last two majors of 2011 when 111th and 108th in the world respectively, the lowest-ranked winner of any major is Els who was 40th before winning the 2012 Open.

World No 3 Jordan Spieth admits he did not arrive at Troon in the same shape as he did at St Andrews last year, when he was seeking the third leg of an unprecedented calendar grand slam and on the back of victory in the John Deere Classic.

“It’s mostly mental,” Spieth said. “I believe that if I’m in contention I can bring my best stuff and take home the trophy.

“Everyone goes through peaks and valleys. I’ve still won twice and (finished) second in a major. If that’s a valley, then that’s going to be a lot of fun when we get back up to a peak.”

Rory McIlroy, who was unable to defend his title in 2015 due to injury, has not won a major since lifting the Claret Jug at Hoylake.

“It’s not just about turning up and playing and collecting a trophy,” McIlroy said. “It’s a very long career, so there’s plenty of time to try and rack up more major championships.”