DJ 'trending' for Augusta | Thomas: I've performed poorly in majors

Dustin Johnson has gone over a year since his last victory but says his game is "trending in the right direction" as he prepares to challenge for a second Masters title this week.

Johnson stormed to a five-shot success at the delayed 2020 Masters in November of that year and looked to be in the sort of form where he could string a number of wins together.

As the undisputed world No 1 he went on to win the Saudi International in February 2021, but has drawn a blank since then - a run of results which included missing the cut as he defended The Masters title - and he is now down to eighth in the world rankings.

But, happy to be a little under the radar with all the attention on Tiger Woods, Johnson feels he is returning to form after top-10 finishes at The Players Championship and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

He said: "I feel like my game is definitely trending in the right direction. Starting to see a lot more consistency with shots. I feel like I'm starting to control the golf ball a little bit better. The swing is starting to feel a lot better.

"Obviously around here, chipping and putting is a big part of it, but you've got to be able to control the golf ball, especially when the course gets firm and fast. Quality iron shots go a long way around here."

Johnson is especially looking forward to playing in front of the packed stands at Augusta National this year after all the Covid-related restrictions over the last two years.

"It's much better having all the fans and everyone out there," he added. "So it's going to be a special week. It's an unbelievably special place just coming to play the event, but after you're a Masters champion, it's even that much more special.

"Every time you come back, it brings up all the