“Only he can put limits to himself,” Wayne Gretzky once ADVISED Dustin Johnson to adopt Tiger Woods ‘relentlessness’ to further advance in career

Wayne Gretzky has been a great mentor, father figure, and even a friend to Dustin Johnson. DJ accepts that Gretzky’s advice has helped him advance in his career.

“Only he can put limits to himself,” Wayne Gretzky once ADVISED Dustin Johnson to adopt Tiger Woods ‘relentlessness’ to further advance in career

Wayne Gretzky and Dustin Johnson [Image Credit: Golf Digest]

The pair, Wayne Gretzky and Dustin Johnson are popular not only because of their family ties but also due to being golf partners and friends. Gretzky often mentioned how DJ is like a son to him, and there are moments when they act as friends and have even encouraged the golfer in his career.

Years prior to DJ making his big $150 million LIV Golf move, he thanked Gretzky for being a mentor in his life. According to records, and even interviews, Johnson credited the NHL legend after securing World No.1 spot and even majors win.

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While speaking to writer Alan Shipnuck for a 2016 Golf Magazine profile, Wayne Gretzky talked about how he had advised Dustin Johnson to follow golf great Tiger Woods’ “relentlessness”. He said, “I don’t mean he has to be Tiger…you only get a few athletes like that a century.”

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“But part of what made Tiger Tiger was relentlessness”. While talking about advice, he mentioned that he is by no means a golfer. DJ knows better about the greens, but Gretzky knows what makes a leader and the qualities one can adopt to reach new heights.

Dustin Johnson credits Wayne Gretzky for golfer’s achievement of World No.1 title

Before winning the 2016 U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson had close calls with titles but failed to achieve major trophies. He credits Wayne Gretzky for being there for him when he needed as he closed that year by winning the BMW Championship and being named the PGA Tour Player of the Year.

Wayne Gretzky and Dustin Johnson [Image Credit: Toronto Star]
Wayne Gretzky and Dustin Johnson [Image Credit: Toronto Star]

Eventually, he also won the World No.1 title in February 2017. Gretzky advised DJ to never get complacent in his career and work twice as hard after each win. He took an example of his own career affirmations stating that “If I scored 50 goals in a season, I wanted 70 the next year.” He told Alan that “only he (Dustin Johnson) can put limits on himself.”

Following 2016’s performance, DJ became a heavy favorite for The Masters. Unfortunately, a fluke accident kept him out of the event. DJ and Gretzky became great golf partners who often tee-ed up on the course and during charity golf events. They became even closer after Johnson started dating Gretzky’s eldest daughter, Paulina in 2013.

Due to their closeness, Wayne Gretzky was once labeled as Johnson’s “DJ Whisperer”. Although the former denied such rumors, he did praise the 39-year-old saying his achievements are solely due to his own efforts. He may have given some advice here and there, but it was only Johnson’s hard work that paid off.

Johnson along with the Gretzky family are often seen on the greens to enjoy a relaxing golf game. Recently, Paulina celebrated DJ’s birthday on the field with his close friends as they indulged in fun games. Fans are always excited to hear more of Johnson’s love story and also stories of Gretzky and their father-son relationship.

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