Dustin Johnson claims third LIV Golf title
Dustin Johnson – image courtesy of LIV Golf
Dustin Johnson added a third LIV Golf title with a one-shot victory in the LIV Golf Las Vegas event at the Las Vegas Country Club.
Johnson, a two-time winner and four times runner-up in major golf events, has been a member of the LIV Golf League since its inception in mid-2022, and today added to his Sept 2022 victories in Boston and his win in Tulsa last May by converting his share of the 36 hole lead into victory.
Johnson won by one over Peter Uihlein and 2023 sensation Talor Gooch after recovering from a mid-round slump in which he dropped three shots around the turn to birdie three holes late in the round to claim the title.
At one stage during the final round 6 players were tied in the lead at 10 under but on a cold and windy day, it became a case of the last man standing as would-be contenders fell by the wayside.
“Yeah, from the start, from the first tee, I know obviously conditions were going to be very difficult,” said Johnson.
“A lot of really good players right around the lead. Playing with Bryson and Jon, it was going to be a tough day. It was going to be a fight all day, especially with the conditions.
“The golf course played really difficult, and I had a really tough time early just figuring out the wind and how much it was going to move the ball.
“But yeah, kind of hung around there, and then obviously played really good my last seven, eight holes.”
Johnson who will have a start at the Masters as a past champion is finding form less than two months from the first major of the year.
“Yeah, the game is feeling in really good form for this early in the year, and so I’m excited for the rest of the year. Obviously still got a lot of work to do. Take a couple days off, probably Sunday, Monday, and then get back to work on Tuesday.
“Obviously got a big stretch coming up with Saudi, Hong Kong, come back, Doral, and then the Masters. I want to be in good form for the foreseeable future at least. Got a lot of big tournaments.”
New LIV recruit, Jon Rahm, got into a share of the lead at one stage before two late bogeys cost him the chance of a first LIV Golf victory.
Cam Smith was again the leading Australian but after getting within two shots of the lead at one stage today he dropped three shots late in his round to eventually finish in a share of 15th, one shot ahead of Marc Leishman.
