Bolton, Mass. – Dustin Johnson shot a 65 on Sunday and then edged Anirban Lahiri and Joaquin Niemann on the first playoff hole to claim his maiden LIV Golf Invitational Series title at the Boston stop.
The 38-year-old American finished his final day at The International’s Oaks course with six birdies against one bogey to reach 15-under par, and tied for the lead with Niemann and Lahiri.
Playing the par-5 18th hole in overtime, Johnson blasted his drive down the middle and then hit his second shot – a 230 yard stripe – to about 50 feet. Niemann was already out with a par, but Lahiri had pitched to about five feet and was staring at a very makeable birdie. Johnson seemingly needed a two-putt birdie to force a second playoff hole with the Indian but instead his ball hit dead center, popped up in the air, and dropped in for an eagle and victory.
The crowd went ballistic.
The win earned Johnson $4,000,000 as well as another $750,000 for winning the team competition for the third time.
For his maiden LIV Golf title, Johnson took home a check for $4 million while adding another $750,000 for being part of the 4 Aces GC which won its third straight team title.
Winner’s Circle: LIV Golf Invitational-Boston
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DJ Pro-File
Name: Dustin Hunter Johnson
Nickname: DJ
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 190 lb
Nationality: American
Birthdate: June 22, 1984 (age 38)
Native: Columbia, SC
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Family: Married, 2 Children
Turned Pro: 2007
Best World Rank: 1 (02/2017)
Equipment: TaylorMade
Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Video: DJ’s Winning Putt
Dustin Johnson hits the eagle for the win!
LIV Golf Invitational-Boston Leaderboard
Top-10 Finishers
Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Dustin Johnson -15 (-5)
2. Anirban Lahiri -15 (-6)
2. Joaquin Niemann -15 (-4)
4. Lee Westwood -14 (-8)
4. Cameron Smith -14 (-7)
6. Talor Gooch -13 (-1)
7. Jason Kokrak -12 (-4)
8. Abraham Ancer -11 (-5)
9. Sergio Garcia -10 (-4)
9. Louis Oosthuizen -10 (-3)
9. Kevin Na -10 (-3)
Top-3 Teams
Pos-Team-To Par (Final Rd)
1. 4 Aces -32 (-10)
2. Crushers -30 (-16)
3. Majesticks -27 (-17)
Top-5 Money Makers
Pos-Player (Money)
1. Dustin Johnson ($4.75m)
2. Anirban Lahiri ($2.18m)
3. Joaquin Niemann ($1.81m)
Including individual and team earnings.
Dustin Johnson’s Winning Stats
Driving: 314.6 yards (1st)
Fairways: 26/52, 50% (T25)
Greens: 36/72, 50% (T33)
Putts: 74 (1st)
Birdies: 21 (1st)
Par-3 Scoring: -5
Par-4 Scoring: -4
Par-5 Scoring: -6
Scores: 1 Eagle, 21 Birdies, 43 Pars, 6 Bogeys, 1 Double
3 Questions: Dustin Johnson
Q. Where does this tournament victory rank for you?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: It’s a great victory. Obviously we’ve got a great field, a lot of great players. Yeah, it’s up there for sure.
The fans were unbelievable out there today, and then obviously to get the team victory, too, is just a big bonus, just because at one point I think we were on 12 tee, I was playing with Talor and there was a leaderboard. I think we were four back standing on 12 tee. We had, whatever, seven holes to play.
But all the guys, I know they’re all watching leaderboards, so we all rallied really hard to get another win, and I think that says a lot about the team.
We closed out really well at Bedminster, too, and we all four got to play well if we want to win, especially on Sunday when you’re counting three scores. So it was good, and obviously for myself, I wanted to finally get my first victory out here, especially I feel like I’ve had a really good chance to win every single week, just haven’t played as well on Sunday as I’d like to. But played really nicely today, and finally got the first W.
Q. Were the competitive juices flowing as much as they ever have?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Absolutely, if not more, especially with that check that you get. You can feel it. Your butthole puckers up a little bit coming down the last few holes for sure.
Q. Can you just talk us through the eagle putt?
DUSTIN JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, I felt like we had a really good read on it. I might have hit it a little harder than I wanted to, but as soon as I hit it, I’m like, whoa, and then it was on a good line, and I’m like, hit the hole, hit the hole, hit the hole, and it went in somehow. I think the hole is indented for sure.
Yeah, I mean, I felt like it definitely owed me one, especially in regulation I felt like I hit a really good tee shot, took a bad bounce, just rolled in the rough. I was playing smart just laying it up short left there and caught a massive jumper and went up into the trees and made a really good 5 to get into the playoff. Obviously hit a really nice drive and a nice second in there to give myself a chance and made the putt. It wasn’t exactly how I wanted it to go in, but it went in.
WITB: Dustin Johnson
Johnson secured his maiden LIV Golf title playing a full bag of TaylorMade gear, including driver, irons, putter and golf ball.
WITB: Dustin Johnson Scores LIV Golf Boston Victory
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (10.5Ëš)
3-Wood: TaylorMade Stealth High Launch (16.5Ëš)
7-Wood: TaylorMade Stealth Fairway (21Ëš)
9-Wood: TaylorMade Stealth (24Ëš)
Irons: TaylorMade P730 DJ Proto (3-PW)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG (52Ëš, 60Ëš)
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Limited Itsy Bitsy
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Hat: TaylorMade
Shoes: Adidas
Apparel: Adidas
Credits: Getty Images, LIV Golf Media, GolfWRX
