It was just a matter of time: Johnson on top of the golf world
LOS ANGELES — The only question about Dustin Johnson going to No. 1 in the world is: What took so long? The talent was never an issue. Jordan Spieth once referred to Johnson as “a freak athlete.” Pat Perez was partly in awe and partly exasperated Sunday as he stood behind the 10th green during the final round at Riviera and said, “The guy hits it 40 yards by me, hits his short irons great and makes 30-foot putts. What do you do?”
Crown him.
Johnson looked like a worldbeater against the strongest field of the year at the Genesis Open. He went 49 consecutive holes without a bogey. During the third round, when he shot a 7-under 64 and built a five-shot lead, his two longest par putts were from four feet. On the 606-yard 17th hole in the second round, on a day when no one could get it back to the flag, Johnson went over the green.
With his five-shot victory, he became the 20th player since the world ranking began in 1986 to reach No. 1.
And it never crossed his mind.
Neither did the 72-hole scoring record at Riviera, set in 1985 by Lanny Wadkins at 20-under 264. Johnson didn’t even know what the record was, nor did he care. He was at 20-under after making his 21st birdie of the week at the par-3 sixth, played it safe from there with a big lead closing with a 71.
“Winning the golf tournament . . . that’s what I was here to do,” Johnson said.
That’s what he’s been doing ever since his rookie season. Johnson has won every year on the PGA Tour except for 2014, which was cut short when he stepped away for six months to seek professional help amid a published report he had tested positive twice for drugs.
He found guidance from Wayne Gretzky — Johnson is engaged to the Great One’s daughter, they have a two-year-old son and Paulina Gretzky announced this week that another one is on the way. Gretzky’s words carry a lot of weight on and off the golf course.
“When an athlete of his stature . . . thinks very highly of you, it definitely gives you a lot of confidence and gives you more belief,” Johnson said.