World No. 1 Dustin Johnson wins first Canadian Open

OAKVILLE, Ont. As one of the most popular golfers on the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson is used to roaring cheers and chants of “Let’s go DJ!” But getting serenaded with “O Canada”? That’s a new one.

Johnson pulled away from the field after a nearly two-hour rain delay to win the RBC Canadian Open for the first time on Sunday after firing 6-under 66 in the final round to finish at 23 under.

“I did hear it a couple of times, them singing ‘O Canada’,” said Johnson, laughing. “Especially with the amount of support I get when I come up here, it’s been great. Everyone’s been great to me. “I definitely feel like an honorary Canadian.” The world No. 1, from Columbia, S.C., tied for second in the Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Course in 2013 and 2016.

He has some roots in southern Ontario, with his fiancee Paulina’s father coming from Brantford, just 67 kilometres down the road from Glen Abbey. Paulina’s father, of course, is all-time NHL leading scorer Wayne Gretzky.

Fans certainly didn’t forget Johnson’s connection to the hockey legend, with some in the crowd wearing Edmonton Oilers jerseys. Sporadic shouts of “Wayne!,” “99!” and “Paulina!” could be heard from the crowd that got a chance to have a few extra beers during a one hour 45 minute weather delay.

“It was great all week, I had a lot of support out there, a lot of fans following me,” said Johnson. “With my ties to Canada with Paulina and then her dad being Wayne Gretzky, it definitely helps. I get a lot of fans that pull for Wayne, they pull for me.”