WORLD number one Dustin Johnson insists he’s over his Masters mishap and ready to challenge for the Open championship this week. The American had been hot favourite going into the first major of the year at Augusta only to be ruled out after falling down some stairs and hurting his back.

Last year’s US Open champion, however, has rebounded strongly since then and believes Royal Birkdale suits his strengths as he looks to land the second major win of his career.

He said: “What happened before the Masters definitely sucked, that's for sure. But things happen. Obviously I've had quite a few things happen to myself. It's nothing new.

“I feel good. I feel like the game is starting to get back to what it was. I'm definitely hitting it a lot better. I feel like the putter is starting to roll a little bit better.

“I really like this golf course. Obviously it's my first time here. But I got over here early – on Saturday - and so I’ve had a lot of practise on the course. And I feel like it sets up well for me.

“It’s like any Open championship, you've just got to control your golf ball. If you can do that, you can get around here and shoot some good scores. Winning here for me would be just as good as the US Open win, definitely.”

Johnson has travelled over by himself after his partner Paulina – daughter of ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky – recently gave birth to their second child.

DJ added: “My new son is only five weeks old so he's at home with mum. And he's doing well. Definitely the second one is easier than the first one. You’re not quite as nervous when you're bringing them home from the hospital.”