THE MODERATOR: Dustin, welcome to the press room. Great to have you here. Two-time champion. What are your thoughts on making it three this week?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: We'll see. The game's okay. I haven't played since Dallas, so might be a little rusty. I played a few holes yesterday and the game felt actually pretty good.
Q. What are your thoughts on the golf course?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I only played six holes, but I like the golf course. It's different than obviously the last few Saudi Invitationals has been over in KAEC, so different, but I like the golf course.
Q. How would you describe your year as a whole? How have you played in general?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I'd say mediocre at best. It wasn't quite up to the standards that I like, but I feel like the game's starting to come round. It started to get a little bit better towards the end of the year. Yeah, I'm feeling good going into this season.
Q. It was just announced yesterday that Thomas Pieters was going to be joining the 4Aces. I just wanted to understand why you chose Thomas. You obviously go back to 2016 playing the Ryder Cup together. Wonder if you could talk about that as well.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I played with him a few times this year, known Thomas for a long time. Yeah, he's a good player. I thought he was a good addition to the team. I feel like he makes the team stronger and more competitive. Especially with how strong the teams are, you've always got to try to make your team better.
Q. Just on the International Series rankings right now, Peter Uihlein is leading the way, John Catlin in second, Ben Campbell in third, quite a big week for these guys. Who do you think is going to take the title this week? Who do you think can do it?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Pete won last week, so I'd have to say he's probably playing the best coming into here, coming off a win. So obviously he's got a lot of confidence.
I haven't looked at the points or anything, so I don't know how far ahead he is or how close it is.
Q. It's tight at the top to be honest.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: It's tight?
Q. Yeah, very tight. There's a lot of players that could take it this week with 1,000 points obviously up for grabs.
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Should be an interesting week then.
Q. Just going back to your last wins in the event, what are your memories of your two victories here?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Obviously winning the first ever one was obviously a big deal, but every year feels strong, so it's big wins. I've competed, I think. I've had a chance to win most of the years I've played in this event.
For me, even coming into this year, it's a new golf course. Field is still a really good field. Yeah, I'd just like to try to put myself in position to have a chance on Sunday.
Q. How does your game compare to back then when you were winning?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: I feel like the same, but who knows?
Q. I spoke to Patrick Reed in Hong Kong two weeks ago, and I asked him if he saw it as a tune-up for next season. He said, no, he was there to win, and he went on and won it in quite emphatic style. I wonder if you look at this tournament and then look at the season opener next season, do you look at this as a way of getting to see the course early, or do you want to win it?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: No, it's another event with a good field. I'm coming here to compete, and like I said, put myself in position to have a chance on Sunday. That's the goal.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports