ERIN, Wis. — Dustin Johnson’s brother, Austin, did not tiptoe around after Johnson slipped on some stairs in his stocking feet on the eve of the Masters and wrenched his back. As others in his inner circle struggled to process the disappointment of Johnson’s having to withdraw from a major he was favored to win, his brother leavened the mood by threatening to buy Johnson the nonslip grip socks commonly used in yoga and barre classes.
Austin Johnson also is Dustin Johnson’s caddie, and his response to the unexpected stumble provided a glimpse into the dynamics of one of the more intriguing collaborations in men’s golf.