Johnson caps return to golf with composed WGC-Cadillac victory
AMERICAN Dustin Johnson carded a three-under-par 69 in the final round to come from five shots behind to win the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral, Miami yesterday.
Johnson, playing only his fifth event since returning to action following six months away from the game, was flawless on the back nine as he clinched a one-shot victory over long-time leader and compatriot JB Holmes.
Fellow American Bubba Watson birdied four of his first seven holes to surge ahead of Holmes, who bogeyed three of his first six, although the back nine proved a different story and more problematic as the reigning Masters champion finished third at seven-under.
Success represented Johnson’s second WGC title and the ninth success of his PGA Tour career, having returned to action last month after a prolonged absence from the game to seek help for what he dubbed as personal challenges.
Australian Adam Scott fired a final round 69 and tied with Henrik Stenson in fourth at four-under, ensuring he usurped countryman Jason Day as world No4.
World No1 Rory McIlroy, who threw a club into a lake during the second round, failed to make any significant ground on the final day and finished eight shots back.
The Northern Irishman finished behind Sotuh Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen as well as American duo Webb Simpson and Bill Haas.