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Jun 29th, 2020
Johnson holds on to take Travelers Championship
As McIlroy continues to struggle
Words: GolfPunk Photography: Getty Images
Dustin Johnson overcame blunders on the back nine to take his first PGA Tour event in over a year. The now World number three saw off the challenge of Kevin Streelman to win by a single shot after carding a final-round three-under-par 67.
Johnson has now won a PGA Tour event for thirteen consecutive seasons a feat only bettered by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus who won on fourteen and seventeen straight season respectively.
"I'm definitely proud of myself for continuing the streak - it was a long time between wins though. Hopefully, it won't be that long for the next one," said Johnson.
The man from South Carolina courted disaster at the par-four 15th hole where after nearly finding the water he had to remove his shoes and socks to stand in the water to play his second shot.
After securing his par, a rain delay halted proceedings and on returning to the course, Johnson immediately bogeyed the 16th hole to heap the pressure on himself. He held his nerve parring the final two holes to win by a single shot.
"Even though there are no fans here, you can still feel the pressure,"said Johnson commenting on the lack of a crowd. "The rain delay didn't help very much because then I actually had time to think about everything."
American Will Gordon and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes finished tied for third on 17 under.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is to take a two-week break after another disappointing finish on Sunday where he tied eleventh. World number one McIlroy was frustrated that he was again teeing it up for the final round with no chance of victory.
"The way I'm feeling right now," said McIlroy, who finished six back from winner Dustin Johnson, "I feel like a couple of weeks off, just reset and start again."
In the first three tournaments back McIlroy has failed to finish in the top ten despite teeing off as the bookies favourite in each event.
"There's been some really good stuff in there, but then just some really stupid mistakes," McIlroy said. "Even today, like I got off to a good start and then bogeyed some easy holes.Â
It's a little too up and down, a little bit roller coaster-ish, where it didn't really feel like that before we stopped. It was sort of quite consistent and sort of building sort of rounds very nicely, a lot of pars, a few birdies, not many mistakes.
The World number one has flattered to deceive in recent events heading into the weekend in contention he has struggled to convert.
Johnson has now won a PGA Tour event for thirteen consecutive seasons a feat only bettered by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus who won on fourteen and seventeen straight season respectively.
"I'm definitely proud of myself for continuing the streak - it was a long time between wins though. Hopefully, it won't be that long for the next one," said Johnson.
The man from South Carolina courted disaster at the par-four 15th hole where after nearly finding the water he had to remove his shoes and socks to stand in the water to play his second shot.
After securing his par, a rain delay halted proceedings and on returning to the course, Johnson immediately bogeyed the 16th hole to heap the pressure on himself. He held his nerve parring the final two holes to win by a single shot.
"Even though there are no fans here, you can still feel the pressure,"said Johnson commenting on the lack of a crowd. "The rain delay didn't help very much because then I actually had time to think about everything."
American Will Gordon and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes finished tied for third on 17 under.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is to take a two-week break after another disappointing finish on Sunday where he tied eleventh. World number one McIlroy was frustrated that he was again teeing it up for the final round with no chance of victory.
"The way I'm feeling right now," said McIlroy, who finished six back from winner Dustin Johnson, "I feel like a couple of weeks off, just reset and start again."
In the first three tournaments back McIlroy has failed to finish in the top ten despite teeing off as the bookies favourite in each event.
"There's been some really good stuff in there, but then just some really stupid mistakes," McIlroy said. "Even today, like I got off to a good start and then bogeyed some easy holes.Â
It's a little too up and down, a little bit roller coaster-ish, where it didn't really feel like that before we stopped. It was sort of quite consistent and sort of building sort of rounds very nicely, a lot of pars, a few birdies, not many mistakes.
The World number one has flattered to deceive in recent events heading into the weekend in contention he has struggled to convert.