Fit-again Johnson set for La Quinta

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Dustin Johnson, currently ranked eighth in the world, has recovered from knee surgery and is set to open his 2012 season byTaylormade RocketBallz Tour Driver
at next week\'s Humana Challenge at La Quinta
A five-time winner on tour, the big-hitting 27-year-old Johnson, who earned prize money of $4.3 million in 2011 despite only winning The Barclays in the FedEx Cup play-offs, had initially planned to make the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego his first tournament this year following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in December, but he has been so happy with hisTaylormade RocketBallz Tour Driver
, he has decided to start his season a week earlier at the Humana Challenge, formerly the five-day Bob Hope Classic
Johnson, who is the highest-ranked player in the Humana field, will be joined by fellow American 2011 Presidents Cup winners Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson and Bill Haas as one of the four players in the field ranked in the top 25 of the world. Taylormade RocketBallz Tour Driver
\"We\'re delighted Dustin has elected to launch his 2012 schedule at the Humana Challenge,\" said Tournament Chairman Larry Thiel.
\"Dustin is one of the outstanding young players on the PGA Tour.\"
Another high profile player who joined the field on the final day for entries is Bo Van Pelt, ranked 29th in the world and one of Humana\'s sponsored players.
After Friday, the only way golfers can still qualify to playTaylormade RocketBallz Tour Driver
at La Quinta is by winning the Sony Open in Hawaii this weekend - or by seeing the results of the Sony event change certain exemption categories.
\"The format changes we have made to the event have sparked tremendous interest among PGA Tour players and, as a result, our spectators are in for an exciting tournament,\" Thiel opined. Taylormade RocketBallz Tour Driver
The pro-am portion of the $5.6 million tournament will begin on Thursday at three courses in La Quinta - the Nicklaus and Palmer Private courses at PGA West and at the La Quinta Country Club.
The week will also include a national health and wellness conference, \'Health Matters\', on Tuesday that will feature nationally known speakers from sports, entertainment and medicine.