Dustin Johnson wins Travelers Championship by one stroke

Source:AFP Published: 2020/6/29 17:18:43

Former world No.1 extends career-long season streak to 13


Dustin Johnson reacts after missing a putt for birdie on the 18th green during the final round of the Travelers Championship on Sunday in Cromwell, Connecticut. Photo: VCG

 

Dustin Johnson fired a three-­under-par 67 to claim a one-shot victory at the Travelers Championship and keep his tournament win streak alive on Sunday.

Former world No.1 Johnson bagged his first tournament win since February 2019 after a closing three-under-par 67 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

Johnson, who started the day two shots adrift of third-round leader Brendon Todd after a brilliant 61 on Saturday, held his nerve after a late wobble following a weather delay.

The victory means Johnson has now won at least one tournament in each of the 13 seasons he has been on the PGA Tour, a feat matched only by an elite group of players that includes Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods.

"Obviously it's a great streak and any time your mentioned with those names it's good," said Johnson, who finished on 19-­under, one clear of Kevin Streelman. 

"I'm proud of myself for continuing the streak, and I want to keep it going, but it was a long time between wins - hopefully it won't be as long until the next one.

Although the tournament was played without spectators because of the coronavirus, Johnson admitted he had been nervous after a weather delay with three holes remaining.

"Even though there's no fans, you still feel the pressure," Johnson said. 

"The weather delay didn't help very much because I had time to start thinking... but I figured out a way to get it done."

The 36-year-old laid the foundations for victory with a run of three straight birdies either side of the turn to take sole possession of the lead as partner Todd struggled to make any birdies over the front nine.

After a bogey on the seventh which saw him relinquish a share of the lead, Johnson bounced back with a curling 27-foot birdie putt on the eighth to get back to 18-under.

He took the lead on the ninth after drilling a 126-yard second shot to within five feet of the pin before rolling in the simplest of birdie putts.

Will Gordon and Canada's Mackenzie Hughes shared third on 17-under while Kevin Na was a shot back after a closing 67.

Third-round leader Todd meanwhile finished tied on 13 under with eight other players, including world number one Rory McIlroy, after a five-over-par 75.



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