Going for his second FedEx Cup playoff win in a row, Dustin Johnson arrived at Olympia Fields looking to extend his lead before the TOUR Championship. A firm and fast test awaited the top 70 golfers.
Paired with Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger, Dustin got off to the start he needed Thursday afternoon. After bogey at his first hole, the par-four 10th, Dustin made a 30-foot downhill slider on the par three 13th. One more bogey and birdie left DJ at even as he made the turn, only two back. His approach on the final hole of the day left him just under ten feet for birdie which he would convert to finish at one over for the day. Thursday at the BMW Championship played tough leaving only two players under par after the first round.
No rain in the Chicago area had the golf course playing even faster Friday. Dustin was ready to go. Thanks to a 383-yard drive, Dustin was able to make birdie on the first to get back to even for the tournament. Dustin would go on to birdie his last two holes of the day to shoot one under on the day and be at even par for the tournament. Heading into the weekend, DJ was one back.
An up and down front nine on Saturday had Dustin tied for the lead as he made the turn. As the golf course got harder, Dustin got better. The only two greens he missed on the back nine, he got up and down while adding another birdie on the par-five 15th. This added up to a one-under 69 and left him tied for the lead with Hideki Matsuyama.
Dustin came out of the gates firing Sunday afternoon. Birdies on one and two gave him a three-shot lead. A 355-yard drive led to another birdie on four, extending his lead to four. A couple of mid-round bogies brought him back to the field. Needing a birdie on 18, Dustin’s drive found the right rough. His approach shot left a tough downhill 43-foot birdie putt up and over a ridge. With a read by he and his brother Austin, Dustin canned it forcing a playoff with Jon Rahm.
Back to the 18th tee they went. Rahm’s drive found the right rough while Dustin’s drive struck a tree but kicked back into the middle of the fairway. After Rahm’s second shot found the back left of the green, Dustin left himself 25 feet. While lining up his putt, Jon Rahm made his 66-foot left to right birdie putt. A massive putt and celebration from Rahm put the pressure squarely on DJ. 25-feet to extend the playoff, Dustin missed it on the low side.
Though he lost, Dustin remains number in the world and the FedEx Cup. He will head to Atlanta this week where he will look to win his first FedEx Cup.
