Dustin Johnson explains notable Paulina Gretzky absence as wife misses The Open

Dustin Johnson's wife, Paulina Gretzky, was a notable absence at The Open - because she doesn't like the Scottish weather.

Instead, the actress decided to go to Saint-Tropez with friends as her LIV Golf hubby chases a third major title. Johnson 's brother is at Royal Troon, though.

"No, my wife and a couple of friends are in Saint-Tropez. I'll meet her on Sunday," Johnson confirmed. "I don't blame her," he replied when asked if she doesn't like the Scottish weather.

Johnson needs to overturn an eight-shot deficit this weekend as he aims to chase down leader Shane Lowry. And much to his wife's disliking, Johnson is hoping conditions grow tougher in his bid to climb the standings.

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"It all depends. It just depends on the weather really. Tough conditions, you don't need to be -- you can be pretty far behind as long as you play well," he said. Friday's performance saw Johnson look like his old self, a former world No. 1, a drastic improvement from Thursday.

“I feel like I’m swinging the irons good, rolling (putts) good,” he said. “I gave myself a lot of chances … missed a couple of short ones, but I rolled the putter really nice. The short game … everything feels really good. (I) just need to get in the fairway a little bit more (but) I drove it a little better today."

Johnson wasn't thinking too much about missing the cut. The 40-year-old added: " (I) never think about that. Obviously I would’ve liked to get one more (birdie) in there and get it back to even (par), but still as I sit now, it’s not too bad, probably not going to be too far off (the leader).”

Johnson missed the cut at the last major, the U.S. Open. He has missed the cut at two majors in 2024. However, the American put his woes down to illness. "I don’t know if I had the flu or whatever. Trying to play that golf course, in the heat with not feeling good, was not fun," he said.

“It’s been like that for the longest I can remember in my career, really: playing good golf, just not shooting good scores. But (that’s) golf; it’s frustrating.

"It’s always going to be that way … but it can turn around really quick. I feel like I’m doing all the right things, and some good scores are to come for sure.”