Another year means another win for Dustin
CROMWELL, Conn. — Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championship on Sunday to end a long drought and extend his career-long season victory streak to 13.
Johnson closed with a 3-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Kevin Streelman at fan-free
TPC River Highlands. Johnson last won in Mexico City in March 2019.
“I’m definitely proud of myself for continuing the streak and I want to keep it going,” Johnson said. “It was a long time between wins, though, and, so, hopefully it won’t be that long for the next one.”
Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus each won in 17 consecutive years. Johnson failed to win in 2014, but is given credit for winning in the 2013-14 season from his victory in the fall of 2013 in Shanghai. The tour changed to a wraparound season in 2013.
Johnson tapped in for par on the par-4 18th, raised his ball to acknowledge the smattering of applause from course workers, officials and reporters, the only in-person witnesses allowed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He finished at 19-under 261 for his 21st PGA Tour title. Streelman also shot 67. Streelman, who made seven straight birdies to win at TPC River Highlands in 2014, had a 37-foot birdie try on 18 that ended up just short and right.
He was two strokes behind Johnson on the 17th fairway when the weather horn blew for an hour-long storm delay.
Johnson came out of the delay and hit his tee shot on 16 into a greenside bunker. His second shot went well past the hole and he made bogey to cut his lead to a stroke.
“I’ve had a few missed cuts, so to come back and finish a solo second is nice, but to to be that close and perform and be right there, I’m just a little disappointed right now,” Streelman said.
Johnson was at 19 under when his tee shot on the par-4 15th went left and came inches from going into the signature lake that surrounds the finishing holes. His first pitch didn’t make it to the green, and he hit the second to 4 feet to save par.
“It was lucky, but a still had to made a good up-and-down to make par,” he said.
Mackenzie Hughes, who shot a first-round 60, shot a 67 to tie for third with 23-year-old Will Gordon at 17 under. Hughes made 48-foot birdie putt on 17, which started well left of the hole and turned right to the flag. He finished the round with a much straighter 43-foot birdie putt on 18.