King DJ’s reign starts in style

– World No 1 Dustin Johnson (above) of the United States held off Spanish rookie Jon Rahm and England’s Tommy Fleetwood over Sunday’s final holes to win the World Golf Championship’s Mexico Championship by one stroke.

The reigning US Open champion became only the fifth player to capture his first event after moving atop the world rankings, matching a feat done by Welshman Ian Woosnam, Australia’s Adam Scott, Fiji’s Vijay Singh and American David Duval.

“It means a lot,” Johnson said of the achievement. “It’s a tough spot to be in. There’s a lot of pressure on you. I came out and hit the ball really well. I played great all week.”

After back-to-back 66s, Johnson fired a three-under-par 68 on Sunday, overcoming two backnine bogeys with a birdie at the par-5 15th and three closing pars to finish 72 holes on a 14-under-par 270.

Fleetwood finished second on 271 after closing with a 40-foot birdie putt while Rahm shared third with England’s Ross Fisher on 272 with Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and American Justin Thomas fifth on 273.

“I played just well enough, I guess, because I won by one,” Johnson said.

It was the second victory in as many starts for the 32-year-old American after taking the title last month at Riviera and marked the 14th PGA triumph of Johnson’s career.

Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, who could have overtaken Johnson atop the rankings with a victory, fired a 71 to share seventh with Americans Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker on 274. –

Mexico City