Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Dustin Johnson has emotional finish at BMW Championship

By Tim Letcher

OLYMPIA FIELDS, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 30: Dustin Johnson of the United States celebrates making his putt for birdie on the 18th hole during the final round of the BMW Championship on the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club on August 30, 2020 in Olympia Fields, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
OLYMPIA FIELDS, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 30: Dustin Johnson of the United States celebrates making his putt for birdie on the 18th hole during the final round of the BMW Championship on the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club on August 30, 2020 in Olympia Fields, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Dustin Johnson got to (nearly) experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on Sunday at the BMW Championship.

Dustin Johnson has had an amazing two weeks in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He blew away the field last week at the Northern Trust, winning by 11 shots and shooting 30-under par for the week. This week at the BMW Championship, DJ found himself in a much tougher fight, one that would included a number of highs and lows.

DJ entered the final round with a share of the lead and appeared to be ready to claim his second consecutive playoff win. It would have been a most impressive feat, especially considering the differences between this week in Chicago and last week in Boston.

More from Pro Golf Now

Things started out well for Johnson, who was in pursuit of his 23rd PGA Tour win. He would birdie his first two holes in Sunday’s round to get to 3-under par and to take the early lead. After he parred the third hole, DJ birdied the fourth and was 4-under for the tournament. It appeared that he was on his way to that 23rd win.

DJ parred five, six and seven to remain at 4-under for the event. On the par-3 eighth hole, DJ found a greenside bunker and ended up suffering his first bogey of the day. That dropped him to 3-under for the tournament, but he still held a share of the lead.

On the back nine, DJ started with a bogey on the 10th hole as Jon Rahm was starting to make his move. Rahm would eventually take the lead, while DJ was making pars on 11, 12, 13 and 14.

On the par-5 15th hole, DJ was able to birdie to get back to 3-under for the tournament. Still, he trailed Rahm by a shot with just three holes to play.

After parring the 16th and 17th holes, DJ came to 18 knowing he needed a birdie to get into a playoff with Rahm. His drive went right and into the rough, leaving him 195 yards to the hole. His second shot was a bit long, leaving him about 45 feet for his birdie.

DJ and his caddie/brother Austin surveyed the putt from every angle. Then, DJ hit the putt, a double-breaker, and his touch was perfect. The ball rolled down the slope and eventually landed in the cup, a spectacular, clutch birdie to force a playoff with Rahm.

The two players started on 18, where Rahm drove his ball into the rough. DJ appeared to have done the same thing, but his ball struck a tree and landed back in the fairway, albeit farther back than he wanted to be.

The second shots left DJ with a clear advantage, although neither player seemed to be within birdie range. DJ had about 40 feet for his birdie, while Rahm had 66 feet for his.

After temporarily snatching the win from Rahm on the 72nd hole, DJ could only watch as Rahm did the same to him. Rahm’s putt rolled down the hill, across the green and into the cup, a stunning putt that gave the Spaniard a jolt of energy as it went in.

Next. Golf Tips: Don’t Let a Bad Shot Derail and Ruin Your Round. dark

Johnson, never one to show much emotion, simply surveyed his putt, one that he now needed to force a playoff hole. His put a good stroke on it, but it came up just short, giving Rahm the win after an emotional 30 minutes on the final hole.

DJ nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on Sunday, only to see that same thing done to him in the playoff.

Home/Golf News