Johnson beats off challenge

DUSTIN Johnson underlined his status as world No 1 by holding off the challenge of a strong European contingent to win the £7.9 million WGCMexico Championship.

Johnson, the 32-yearold US Open champion, carded a closing 68 at Chapultepec Golf Club to finish 14-under-par and a shot ahead of Tommy Fleetwood, who holed from 40 feet on the last to complete a superb 66 and secure the biggest payday of his career.

While Johnson took the first prize of £1.35 million, outright second was worth £850,000 to Fleetwood, more t han double t he £362,000 he won for victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship in January.

Ross Fisher and Spain’s Jon Rahm shared third on 12 under, with Fisher firing nine birdies in a closing 65 and Rahm reeling i n Johnson in thrilling fashion before costly bogeys on the 16th and 17th.

Johnson only moved to the top of the rankings with victory in the Genesis Open a fortnight ago.

And he became the fifth player to win their first event since becoming No 1, following i n t he footsteps of Ian Woosnam, David Duval, Vijay Singh and Adam Scott.

“It means a lot because it’s a tough spot to be in” Johnson said.

“T h e r e ’s a lot of pressure on you and I came out and played really well. I hit the ball great all week.

“The greens are tough to putt on and I didn’t feel like I putted my best. However, I really hit the ball well and played just well enough I guess because I won by one.”

Dustin Johnson