bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Dustin Johnson ended years of misery at the majors with a come-from-behind win in the US Open at Oakmont, but he was given a huge fright late on over a potential rules violation.
The 31-year-old American closed with a 69 for a four-under-par total to finish three strokes clear of Scott Piercy (69), Jim Furyk (66) and Shane Lowry (76).
They were the only players to finish under par as Sergio Garcia (70) and Branden Grace (71) both ended level.
The victory was sweet for a player who bore the scar tissue of multiple near misses at the majors, most notably at last year’s US Open when he three-putted the final green to hand the win to Jordan Spieth.

Johnson was the third straight first-time winner of a major tournament after Jason Day won the PGA Championship last year and Danny Willett took the Masters in April.
But it was a perplexing final few holes for him after officials informed him at the 12th that he could be penalised for a potential rules violation back on the fifth green when his ball moved slightly as he prepared to putt.
As it turned out, the last few holes went his way as Johnson finished with a birdie at the last and his margin was such that the victory could not be overturned even if he were penalised.
The United States Golf Association then announced that the penalty stroke would be applied.
“Feels good. Feels really good. Feels well deserved. I’ve had a lot of opportunities that I didn’t quite get it done. So this one’s definitely really sweet,” Johnson said.
“It means the world. It’s Father’s Day. My birthday’s in a couple days. Couldn’t have came at a better time.”

Johnson started the last 18 holes tied for second, but he was four strokes behind Ireland’s Lowry.
But with his driving back to its best after a rocky third round, Johnson reached the turn in three-under 33.
That was enough to haul him level with Lowry, who minutes later promptly dropped another bogey at the ninth.
Johnson was back in the lead, as he had been at the halfway stage of the tournament, and from then on he looked to be in the clear before the upsetting news that he could be hit with a penalty stroke muddied the waters.
For Lowry it was a humbling experience on what was the first time the player from County Offaly in central Ireland had led a major tournament after 54 holes.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry on top at US Open in Oakmont as darkness falls on delayed third day
He never looked comfortable from the moment his approach to the second hole spun back off the green.
Three holes later he dropped another one after finding a bunker off the tee and suddenly all the pressure of a major tournament was weighing heavily on his burly shoulders.
The dropped shot at nine saw him surrender the lead, and although he briefly managed to draw back level with Johnson, his normally reliable putting stroke let him down badly over the last few holes.
In 115 previous editions of the US Open only two players had lost a 54-hole lead of four or more strokes.
“It’s not easy to get yourself in a position I got myself in today,” Lowry said.
“It was there for the taking and I didn’t take it. But, you know, you can only learn from your mistakes.”

Piercy, who got within one shot of Johnson’s lead before taking a bogey at the par three 16th, paid tribute to Johnson.
“He’s a great player, he’s won 10, 11 times, whatever. He’s one of the best drivers of the golf ball out here,” he said.
Pittsburgh favorite Furyk produced a late charge which fired up the local crowd, getting to two-under with a hole to play, but a wayward tee-shot at the last undid him.
“The one regret, I wish I’d have got that ball on the fairway at 18. It would have been a little more exciting,” said Furyk, who tied for second the last time the US Open was held at Oakmont in 2007.

World number one Jason Day never really put himself in contention after a bogey start and he came in with a 71 to finish at two over.
“I played some good golf out there the last three rounds, and very happy with how I played. Not so happy with the finish. Obviously, I’m here to win a tournament and, unfortunately, I didn’t win,” he said.
Defending champion Spieth, hoping to bounce back at the second major of the year after an astonishing back-nine collapse cost him the title at the Masters in April, never fully fired at Oakmont and he limped off at nine-over after a closing 75.


Dustin Johnson finally wins first major championship title at US Open despite Oakmont controversy

Dustin Johnson holds up the US Open trophy watched by Scott Piercy and Jack Nicklaus. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

epa05378590 One of three runner-up Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts after finishing the 116th US Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA, 19 June 2016. The tournament will be played 16 June thorough 19 June. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

epa05378510 Dustin Johnson of the US sinking his final putt on the eighteenth hole during the final round of 116th US Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA, 19 June 2016. The tournament will be played 16 June thorough 19 June. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

OAKMONT, PA - JUNE 19: Jim Furyk of the United States waves to the gallery as he walks off the 18th green during the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 19, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. David Cannon/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

OAKMONT, PA - JUNE 19: Scott Piercy of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 19, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Dustin Johnson sets early pace at Memorial Tournament with 10 birdies

Dustin Johnson was quick out of the blocks to take a lead at The Memorial Tournament. Photo: AFP

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 02: Jordan Spieth walks with Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland on the 13th hole during the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2016 in Dubln, Ohio. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 02: Jordan Spieth hits his second shot on the 12th hole during the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2016 in Dubln, Ohio. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 02: Dustin Johnson walks to the green on the 14th hole during the first round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2016 in Dubln, Ohio. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Halfway leader Dustin Johnson stands in way of history-chasing Jordan Spieth at British Open

Dustin Johnson hits off the 18th tee during the second round of the British Open at St Andrews. Photo: Reuters

Dustin Johnson watches his drive on the 18th. Photo: AP

Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth shakes hands after finishing their second round. Johnson leads Spieth by five shots. Photo: AP

Dustin Johnson misses three-footer and the chance to exorcise major demons

Dustin Johnson's putt for a play-off slides past the hole. Photo: USA Today

The galleries watch in horror as Dustin Johnson three-putts. Photo: TNS

Missed putts, like this on 10, haunted Johnson. Photo: AP

Johnson hits from the rough on the eighth hole. Photo: EPA

Dustin Johnson refuses to explain his absence after winning return

Dustin Johnson in action at Doral. Photo: AFP

Dustin Johnson with the trophy. Photo: USA Today Sports

Sport

Golf

The 31-year-old American eventually closed with a final round 69 to win by three shots from Scott Piercy, Jim Furyk and Shane Lowry


Dustin Johnson finally wins first major championship title at US Open despite Oakmont controversy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 31-year-old American eventually closed with a final round 69 to win by three shots from Scott Piercy, Jim Furyk and Shane Lowry

The 31-year-old American eventually closed with a final round 69 to win by three shots from Scott Piercy, Jim Furyk and Shane Lowry