Is DJ the "new" VJ?

[SwooshLT]

Watching DJ really solidify himself with his 1st Major at Oakmont, it got me thinking. ......who's game does his resemble?

 

Bomber (obviously) high cuts preferred , struggles with putting but ball-strikes his way to victories. .....VJ 2003-05 had a great run of wins......14 I believe, but if DJ stays interested he could get to 30 wins 4 majors fairly easily.

 

Thoughts?

[mackepa]

I think the similarities between the two are slim. VJ was/is a perfectionist and was always tinkering with his swing. Dj kinda seems like his swing is what it is and just rips the ball everywhere. Plus i think their practice habits are wildly different.

[playa]

Besides the rhyming initials, I don't see a whole lot of likenesses here.

[ThunderBuzzworth]

Now that DJ knows he can win the big one I have a feeling he will be rattling off W's like crazy

[Christosterone]

Ok...I see where your going...

Let's do a breakdown..

 

Unique Swing Mechanics: CHECK

VJ: reverse c with a whacky clear which saw his right hand break 90 degrees and leave the club on release

 

DJ: bowed left wrist and hold off unique to some of the greatest ball strikers like Trevino

--------------------------------------------

Ridiculous Athleticisim: CHECK

VJ: his preposterous flexibility, coordination, and timing made his 1970s swing automatic and damn near unbeatable for a time

 

DJ: he can dunk blah blah blah

--------------------------------------------

Putting Averageness: CHECK

VJ: the year he lag putted above average he won $10.9M

 

DJ: 2016 is at its halfway point and wow

--------------------------------------------

Awestrikes Teachers: CHECK

VJ: his hands return to perfect position at Impact like no one save maybe Sergio(go to minute 3:00

)

 

DJ: I understand some get all bothered at the bowed wrist(Brandel) but his positions are awe inspiring

--------------------------------------------

Hyper Competetive: NOPE

VJ: was obsessed with golf and only golf...his mission was to best tiger in his prime and amazingly did so for a brief time

 

DJ: he, at least imo, seems to be more on the Weiskopf and Miller end of the spectrum where golf is 2nd or 3rd in their life

--------------------------------------------

Chip on their shoulder: NOPE

VJ: had that sort of Michael Jordan ability to take offense at everything and constantly made mountains out of molehills(Phils metal spikes)

 

DJ: takes penalties even when he doesn't necessarily deserve them....VJ would've sued the USGA on the spot had his ball moved

--------------------------------------------

All Time Great: NOT YET

VJ: all time great...VJ is the only modern HOF player with multiple majors and a true reverse c which took down tiger at the height of his power...much like Trevino did jack for a stretch in the early 70s

 

DJ: at the beginning of the year I thought he may be destined for his talent to go somewhat unfulfilled like Weiskopf...not a fail but not the expectations we all had...contemporaries of DJ are awestruck by him just as they were by weiskopf(Jack included)...DJ seems to be rewriting that storyline at present

--------------------------------------------

 

DJ has a long way to go if he wishes to approach VJ but he is on the right track...I don't know when we will ever see another year like VJ in 2004 from anyone not named tiger...it was all time from anyone not named tiger or Jack....2004 VJ can best be compared to 1971 Trevino...the parallels are identical

 

***** I did this on the iPad speech to text and I'm not about to go back and edit all of the grammatical mistakes because the Opekun understand my Texas accent

 

-Christosterone

[doublepar93]

I'm not seeing a similarity between the two at all. Completely different physically, a completely different swing, and approach to the game.

[chrismikayla]

I always felt when he broke through he would win multiple majors.

[cardoustie]

DJ #1 in hole proximity on tour for 50-125 yards ... WOW

 

He's going to be another one of the modern era guys, that when he is on, he will be near impossible to beat

[vitaminsteve]

Not much in common between the two except they are both golfers

[c7015]

both got in trouble for banned substances

 

 

*allegedly

[SwooshLT]

Ok...I see where your going...

Let's do a breakdown..

 

Unique Swing Mechanics: CHECK

VJ: reverse c with a whacky clear which saw his right hand break 90 degrees and leave the club on release

 

DJ: bowed left wrist and hold off unique to some of the greatest ball strikers like Trevino

--------------------------------------------

Ridiculous Athleticisim: CHECK

VJ: his preposterous flexibility, coordination, and timing made his 1970s swing automatic and damn near unbeatable for a time

 

DJ: he can dunk blah blah blah

--------------------------------------------

Putting Averageness: CHECK

VJ: the year he lag putted above average he won $10.9M

 

DJ: 2016 is at its halfway point and wow

--------------------------------------------

Awestrikes Teachers: CHECK

VJ: his hands return to perfect position at Impact like no one save maybe Sergio(go to minute 3:00

)

 

DJ: I understand some get all bothered at the bowed wrist(Brandel) but his positions are awe inspiring

--------------------------------------------

Hyper Competetive: NOPE

VJ: was obsessed with golf and only golf...his mission was to best tiger in his prime and amazingly did so for a brief time

 

DJ: he, at least imo, seems to be more on the Weiskopf and Miller end of the spectrum where golf is 2nd or 3rd in their life

--------------------------------------------

Chip on their shoulder: NOPE

VJ: had that sort of Michael Jordan ability to take offense at everything and constantly made mountains out of molehills(Phils metal spikes)

 

DJ: takes penalties even when he doesn't necessarily deserve them....VJ would've sued the USGA on the spot had his ball moved

--------------------------------------------

All Time Great: NOT YET

VJ: all time great...VJ is the only modern HOF player with multiple majors and a true reverse c which took down tiger at the height of his power...much like Trevino did jack for a stretch in the early 70s

 

DJ: at the beginning of the year I thought he may be destined for his talent to go somewhat unfulfilled like Weiskopf...not a fail but not the expectations we all had...contemporaries of DJ are awestruck by him just as they were by weiskopf(Jack included)...DJ seems to be rewriting that storyline at present

--------------------------------------------

 

DJ has a long way to go if he wishes to approach VJ but he is on the right track...I don't know when we will ever see another year like VJ in 2004 from anyone not named tiger...it was all time from anyone not named tiger or Jack....2004 VJ can best be compared to 1971 Trevino...the parallels are identical

 

***** I did this on the iPad speech to text and I'm not about to go back and edit all of the grammatical mistakes because the Opekun understand my Texas accent

 

-Christosterone

 

 

 

Excellent breakdown Chris ....

[SwooshLT]

I'm not seeing a similarity between the two at all. Completely different physically, a completely different swing, and approach to the game.

 

 

So absolutely no similarities ? As stated.....BOMBERS, high cuts, average to below putters but ball strikes their way to victory .....didn't say a Clone.

 

Anyways just throwing out for discussion. Your thoughts don't have to be in line with rest of wrx.....but as Chris broke down in detail, there are enough to support my thesis! Lol

[Hawkeye77]

Different people, different careers, really different players.

 

Also, don't see DJ winning 30 times on Tour "easily".

 

 

[Psyber]

Funny sport. Someone is on for a few weeks and everyone starts talking like this is how they will always play even though prior history shows a lot of choking. Then the player cools off and everyone is right back to calling them a choke artist.

[jslane57]

I think DJ will be a better comparison to Fred Couples.

[SwooshLT]

Funny sport. Someone is on for a few weeks and everyone starts talking like this is how they will always play even though prior history shows a lot of choking. Then the player cools off and everyone is right back to calling them a choke artist.

 

 

I hear ya but he has consistently won in his 10yrs.....and with things settling down, maybe he has the blueprint to win more...

[flog2]

DJ seems a decent person on the surface.

 

VJ doesnt, and isnt a nice person as far as I've seen, especially in public.

[SwooshLT]

I think DJ will be a better comparison to Fred Couples.

 

 

That's really good ......just thought with "build" (DJ listed at 6'4" ; VJ @ 6'2" with freakishly long arms)

 

But he seems like he'll win more than Freddie. ....who knows? Just a projection

[Man_O_War]

DJ seems a decent person on the surface.

 

VJ doesnt, and isnt a nice person as far as I've seen, especially in public.

 

VJ is a cool dude. Very cool. He stands up for himself. A good thing.

[doublepar93]

I'm not seeing a similarity between the two at all. Completely different physically, a completely different swing, and approach to the game.

 

 

So absolutely no similarities ? As stated.....BOMBERS, high cuts, average to below putters but ball strikes their way to victory .....didn't say a Clone.

 

Anyways just throwing out for discussion. Your thoughts don't have to be in line with rest of wrx.....but as Chris broke down in detail, there are enough to support my thesis! Lol

I don't think the rest of wrx supports your thesis. Haha There are other bombers that play nothing like Dj or Vj,and other players that hit a high cut. It doesn't make the two players' game similar, just because they both happen to hit the ball far, and play a cut when the hole warrants it.

[Santiago Golf]

VJ never been able to putt.

 

Dustin just went 29 for 30 on the weekend from inside 10 feet

[SBH9458]

Don't see them being the same quite as much as others might. But that's just my opinion. Other opinions will vary.

[Psyber]

Funny sport. Someone is on for a few weeks and everyone starts talking like this is how they will always play even though prior history shows a lot of choking. Then the player cools off and everyone is right back to calling them a choke artist.

 

 

I hear ya but he has consistently won in his 10yrs.....and with things settling down, maybe he has the blueprint to win more...

Hopefully. I like watching him play and always pull for him but pressure putting has always been an issue and we know putting seems to be streaky with these guys.

[SwooshLT]

I'm not seeing a similarity between the two at all. Completely different physically, a completely different swing, and approach to the game.

 

 

So absolutely no similarities ? As stated.....BOMBERS, high cuts, average to below putters but ball strikes their way to victory .....didn't say a Clone.

 

Anyways just throwing out for discussion. Your thoughts don't have to be in line with rest of wrx.....but as Chris broke down in detail, there are enough to support my thesis! Lol

I don't think the rest of wrx supports your thesis. Haha There are other bombers that play nothing like Dj or Vj,and other players that hit a high cut. It doesn't make the two players' game similar, just because they both happen to hit the ball far, and play a cut when the hole warrants it.

 

 

Ok......but it's not like his game is "similar" to say Corey Pavin......I never said "exact" but tall, athletic, fluid,long-hitters who cut the ball and have struggled with the putter......but still win despite not holing Jordan amount of putts.....and obviously the putter gets hot enough on occasion to win....but you're right, wrx'er don't see what I'm seeing I guess

[cdnglf]

30 wins and 4 majors is an incredibly optimistic projection for a guy who has 11/1 at age 32.

[SwooshLT]

30 wins and 4 majors is an incredibly optimistic projection for a guy who has 11/1 at age 32.

 

 

 

Just a though by me but you do realize at age 32 VJ had 3 PGA Tour wins? Then won 23 events between the ages of 40 and 45? Anomaly I know.....

[MadGolfer76]

I kind of see him more like a DL3 at the moment, although I think he will take home more majors eventually.

[Guia]

I don't see much similarity, VJ was a little better than average as a putter, I think DJ putts much better than VJ. I like DJ's game but don't see him winning 30 tournaments, that is becoming very difficult with the depth of the tour. I think he will finish with less than 20 wins and perhaps 3 majors. Right now he is on a run, runs usually last 3 - 5 years and then are over.

[sefus12]

Has anyone ever substantiated the rumor that DJ has "poor" practice habits? Some on here speak like the guy has never seen a putting green or a driving range, though I find it hard to believe anyone can win 9 straight years on tour without working their a** off. Maybe it's just me, but I'm willing to bet I'm more right than wrong.

[Frankensteins Monster]

DJ seems a decent person on the surface.

 

VJ doesnt, and isnt a nice person as far as I've seen, especially in public.

 

I've talked to VJ before. I've seen him interact with the public a few times. There's nothing wrong with VJ.