Dustin Johnson shrugged off a litany of major championship disappointment and potential controversy to capture the US Open on Sunday, ridding himself of one of the most unwanted tags in golf.
“I feel lighter,” Johnson said after shedding the weight of that “best golfer never to win a major” label.
“I’ve been in this situation time and time again. For me to finally get it done on Sunday in a major, it’s a huge monkey off my back.”
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Johnson came into the week with 11 top-10 finishes in major championships.
In the glow of a storming victory – wrested from third-round leader Shane Lowry and earned in the shadow of another rules controversy – the normally laconic Johnson let his emotions show.
“After last year, to come back this year and perform like this – I think it shows what kind of golfer I am,” said the world number six, who notched his 10th PGA Tour title.
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Johnson was up by just one on Sunday when he learned US Golf Association officials were reconsidering a ruling at the fifth green, and he could be penalised a shot for causing his ball to move as he prepared to putt.
“I felt like I wasn’t going to be penalised, so I just went about my business,” Johnson said, and when the penalty was indeed assessed, he’d built a big enough lead to make the matter moot.
“I’m glad it didn’t matter ... that would have been bad,” Johnson said.
Instead, Johnson finally got his magic major moment at the 72nd hole, splitting the fairway with his drive, and following with a fine approach to set up just the second birdie of the day at the 18th.
“It was a very nice way to finish. Maybe one of the best shots I ever hit, especially under the circumstance,” he said of his six-iron into the green.