Dustin Johnson is not a fan of thinking, insisting the work he puts in affords him the luxury of playing on auto-pilot.

It is an approach that has paid off handsomely for American, who sits top of the world rankings and will go in search of a second major title at The Open this week.

Johnson, who finished third at the U.S. Open after leading by four at the halfway stage, did take some time to reflect when questioned at Carnoustie over his thoughts on his season so far, but he does not like to dwell on the details of his game.

"I'm kind of in the middle. I feel like it's gone pretty well. I feel like I've played really well. I've played consistently well," he said.

"The only part of my game where I feel like I'm struggling a little bit is with the putter, but I don't feel like I'm struggling putting. I feel like I'm putting it well and rolling it good. I just haven't really made a lot of putts.

"There's been quite a few tournaments where, if I just putt pretty well on the weekend, then, you know, I win.

"But that's the name of the game. You've got to get it in the hole."

Pressed further on whether he was perhaps over-analysing things, Johnson continued: "I don't know. If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't do it. So no, I don't think I'm overthinking it.

"Like I said, I feel like I'm putting well, and there's times where I putt very well, and there's times where I still feel like I'm putting well, it's just not going in the hole. It's just burning the edges."

The reporter who posed the question added, "Maybe I'm thinking too much", to which Johnson replied, "Yes, you are. I don't like it!"

He added: "But that's why I do put the work in so when I'm out playing, I don't have to think about it. I just play golf, have a good time."

Johnson has three top-10 Open finishes to his name and tees off alongside Alex Noren and Charley Hoffman on Thursday.