Stats: DJ Combined Power and Accuracy to Win the U.S. Open

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Dustin Johnson overcame controversy and a 4 shot deficit to win the 2016 U.S. Open, his first major championship. Credit: AFP

It began at the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, where the then 25-year-old took a 3-stroke lead into Sunday only to shoot an 11-over-par 82 and finish the tournament at 5-over and T-8.

That same season, at the 2010 PGA Championship, Johnson held a 1-stroke lead going into the 72nd and final hole at Whistling Straits. But after a bogey and a two-stroke penalty (for grounding in a bunker) Johnson went from the outright leader to a tie for fifth, in a span of about 15 minutes.

At the 2011 British Open, Johnson went head to head with eventual winner Darren Clarke at Royal St. George, only to fade late in the final round, highlighted by an errant shot that went OB. And, of course, who can forget last year? With a 12-footer on the 72nd hole to win the U.S. Open outright, Johnson proceeded to three-putt, and lose by a stroke to Jordan Spieth.

This time around, however, the player they call ‘DJ’ had other plans – ending it all with a spectacular approach shot on No. 18 that was about as clutch as you can get.

The 6th ranked golfer in the world (at the time) overcame a 4-shot deficit, as well as a USGA Rules controversy — which turned the final round into a drama on TV and social media — to capture his first major championship with flair.

Johnson’s 1-under 69 (with penalty assessed) on Sunday at Oakmont gave him total of 4-under for the championship. The trio of Jim Furyk, Scott Piercy, and 54-hole leader Shane Lowry tied for the second spot.

Oakmont demands power and finesse. And Johnson delivered. Here are some statistical highlights from his performance this week.

  • 1st in Driving Distance hitting the fairway 64% of the time.
  • 1st in Greens in Regulation, hitting 55 for the week.
  • 1st in Strokes Gained: Driving.
  • 1st in Total Driving.
  • 1st in Scrambling.
  • 25 consecutive greens (during Round 2), setting a new record at the US Open.

DJ BY THE NUMBERS - AT THE US OPEN

[orbit_circle_loader animate=”animate_none” number=”76″]

GREENS IN REGULATION

55 of 72 Greens Hit.[/orbit_circle_loader]

[orbit_circle_loader animate=”animate_none” number=”64″]

DRIVING ACCURACY

36 of 56 Fairways Hit.[/orbit_circle_loader]

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PAR OR BETTER

66 of 72 Holes.[/orbit_circle_loader]

This win takes him to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking list and also keeps his winning streak alive on tour of capturing at least one PGA Tour event every year since turning pro. The only other players to have a streak this long are Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

That is some company.

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