Johnson claims maiden WGC title
Print Edition
An eagle on the 16th hole helped Dustin Johnson to win his first World Golf Championship title at the US$8.5-million HSBC Champions in Shanghai yesterday after the American finished at a tournament-record 24-under par — three shots better than defending champion Ian Poulter of Britain.
The trio of Johnson, Poulter and Graeme McDowell had a total of 19 birdies at Sheshan International Golf Club yesterday. Each closing with a six-under 66. Johnson, who started the day with a three-shot lead, recovered from a slow start and picked up five birdies and an eagle from the eighth to put his name on the US$1.53 million check for his eighth victory on the PGA Tour.
Liang Wenchong fired six birdies yesterday to finish on 11-under overall, placing 15th, the best performance by a Chinese player at the tournament.
Johnson missed a five-footer which would have given him a closing birdie but that mattered little to the 29-year-old who described the victory as the biggest win of his career.
“I wasn’t having too much fun at the start, especially when Graeme and Ian were birdieing every hole it seemed like. They put a lot of pressure on me but I’m really proud of the way I handled myself. I thought I controlled my nerves pretty well today.”
Johnson said he had a positive feeling the moment he chipped in for his eagle, and claimed that the time was now ripe for him to win a major. “All the majors suit me and, if I play like I did today, I’m definitely going to win one,” he predicted.
In 2010, he was leading the field at the US Open before slumping to an 82 in the last round. Again, at the PGA Championship of that year, he was one ahead of Northern Irishman McDowell after 71 holes when he was given a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in an area of sandy waste which had been designated a bunker on the last.
With victory in Shanghai, the American has now set his sights on the Masters, saying Augusta was a course he loves, having grown up down the road.
Poulter and McDowell were profuse in their praise of Johnson’s performance. “G-Mac and I kept pushing all afternoon but there was nothing we could do when Dustin put his foot down,” said Poulter.
At the half-way stage of the tournament, Chinese fans had voted on who they wanted as the champion, with Johnson and Rory McIlroy being the two names on top. Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, who led after the first round, closed with a 69 to finish tied sixth with Canada’s Graham Delaet (69).
Asked if he had a message for the fans, the American was grateful for the support but playfully suggested that he would have appreciated fewer camera clicks.
Liang was all smiles after a satisfying final round. He played a 5-under 67 in the second round, and the 11-under performance bettered the 10-under score by compatriot Zhang Xinjun two years ago at Sheshan.
“I really enjoyed this week,” said the 35-year-old. “I putted better today compared to yesterday, and was feeling more confident on the course.”
Liang also said the crowds have been learning, just like the Chinese players. “It’s an ongoing process but they are doing well. Their knowledge is getting better all the time.”
The Guangzhou native was the second Chinese golfer to win on the European Tour, which was back in 2008 when he followed Zhang Lianwei in winning the Singapore Masters at Laguna National.
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