News

Johnson powers to World No 1 with Northern Trust triumph  

August 24, 2020 05:32 PM


Dustin Johnson seized the world number one ranking in emphatic style Sunday, firing an eight-under par final-round 63 to win the US PGA Northern Trust by 11 strokes.

Johnson finished with a 30-under par total of 254 at TPC Boston, with Harris English a distant second on 265 after a closing 69.

Johnson's 22-under third-round total had given him the largest 54-hole lead on tour this season -- five strokes -- and he was quick to build on it on Sunday. He set the tone with an eight-foot eagle putt at the second, set up by a magnificent seven-iron over the water.

He tapped in for birdie at the fourth and rolled in a four-foot birdie at the fifth. Birdie putts of 10 and 13 feet at the seventh and eighth saw him make the turn five-under for the day, and he rolled in another four-foot birdie at the 12th.

The only thing that slowed him was a weather delay, the horn sounding just after he teed off on 17. Johnson returned and birdied the par-five 18th in near darkness and steady rain. He matched the second-lowest score in relation to par in a 72-hole US PGA Tour event.

Ernie Els holds the record of 31-under shot at Kapalua in 2003, and Jordan Spieth won the 2016 Tournament of Champions with a 30-under total. His margin of victory was the largest on tour since 2006.

"It is a big margin, and I'm definitely really proud of that," Johnson said. "I played really good. I knew I was playing well and I knew the guys were going to shoot low. "So I was trying to get 30-under -- holed a nice little putt on the last hole to get to 30."

After a tough putting round on Thursday, Johnson put himself on the path to victory with an impressive 11-under 60 on Friday -- when he was 11-under through 11 holes before parring his way to the clubhouse.

Told his 30-under total didn't give him a record, Johnson wasn't bothered. "That's all right," he said, "next time."

Oosthuizen squeezes in 

Former US Open champion Johnson toppled Spain's Jon Rahm from the top of the rankings, and will also lead the US tour's FedEx Cup standings going into the second playoff event, the BMW Championship. "Something that I'm very proud of is to be number one in the world, and I'd like to stay there for a little while," Johnson said.

"Obviously it's been jumping around a bunch here the last few months, but you know, the last time I was number one I think I stayed there for quite some time, and that's another goal of mine is just to see how long I can stay at number one."

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen grabbed the final spot in the 70-man BMW field with a birdie at the final hole on Sunday, coming back after the rain delay and capping a two-over 73. That put him in a tie for 13th, and knocked Doc Redman out of the top 70 in the playoff standings.



Most Read

  1. Yet another burden on people: Govt hikes oil prices Yet another burden on people: Govt hikes oil prices
  2. Adil Raja loses pleas to dismiss Naseer’s defamation suits Adil Raja loses pleas to dismiss Naseer’s defamation suits
  3. ASF official who misbehaved with girl at Karachi airport likely to face music ASF official who misbehaved with girl at Karachi airport likely to face music
  4. Amir Tanba, linked to Indian spy Sarabjit Singh's jail killing, killed in Lahore Amir Tanba, linked to Indian spy Sarabjit Singh's jail killing, killed in Lahore
  5. Nadeem Mahboob named federal health secretary Nadeem Mahboob named federal health secretary
  6. Nine passengers among 11 killed in targeted attacks in Noshki, Balochistan Nine passengers among 11 killed in targeted attacks in Noshki, Balochistan

Opinion

  1. Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph
    Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph

    By Zulfiqar Ali Mir

  2. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  4. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  6. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer