DJ claims second Saudi triumph

Dustin Johnson earned his second Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers title in three years after holding off the chasing pack to secure a two-stroke victory at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

The World Number One started the day with a two-stroke advantage and he was pushed all the way by playing partner Victor Perez and compatriot Tony Finau, who briefly pulled level with Johnson on the back nine.

The reigning Masters Champion closed out victory by responding to his only dropped shot of the day at the 16th with a birdie at the 17th to finish with a closing two-under-par round of 68 for a winning fifteen-under total.
"It was a really good week. I felt like I played really solid every day. Gave myself a lot of chances. Didn't putt quite as well as I'd like to, but obviously well enough to get a victory today," said a delighted Johnson.
"But conditions were tough, especially a couple of the days, but I felt like I struck it very well. I drove it really good. So I gave myself a ton of chances. But yeah, just obviously I'm very pleased with the win and very excited but I'm going to have to go home and work on the putting a bit I think."

Finau marked his debut in Saudi Arabia with a tie for second place on thirteen-under-par with England’s Justin Rose, whose joint runner-up result is his best European Tour finish since he won the 2018 Turkish Airlines Open.
A shot further back in a tie for fourth place on twelve-under-par was Scotland’s Calum Hill, who secured his best European Tour result to date, and France’s Perez, whose challenge was effectively ended by a double-bogey five on the 16th as he signed for a 69.

The triumph is Johnson’s first victory since winning his first Green Jacket at the Masters Tournament in November and continues his excellent record in Saudi Arabia after winning the maiden edition of the event in 2019 before finishing second to Graeme McDowell in 2020.