Dustin Johnson Defeats Cameron Smith And Branden Grace In LIV Golf Tulsa Playoff
Johnson overcame a triple bogey midway through his round to pick up a second LIV Golf title
Last year, Dustin Johnson secured over $35 million for his efforts on the LIV Golf circuit, with the American perhaps not starting as strongly in 2023. However, at Cedar Ridge Country Club, the two-time Major winner seemed to have found his form once again, as DJ defeated Cameron Smith and Branden Grace in a playoff to scoop a second LIV Golf title and the $4 million first prize.
The weather had caused havoc a few times in Tulsa and, midway through the final round, it hit once again as inclement weather forced players off the course and into the protection of the clubhouse. At the time, Johnson was top of the pylon, with a three-shot lead comfortably keeping him ahead.
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However, despite all of his experience, the 38-year-old got out of the gates slowly as play returned mid-afternoon, so much so, that Johnson made a triple bogey at the 10th to allow a number of huge names back into contention.
Amongst them was Champion Golfer of the Year, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Harold Varner III who, at one point, was on for a 59 as he decimated the front nine in Tulsa.
Johnson though recovered well and, following a birdie at the 11th, he produced yet more clutch shots going down the final six holes, with birdies at the 14th and 18th scraping him into a playoff with Smith and Grace, who had finished their rounds just a few minutes earlier. It's also worth noting that Smith's round tied the lowest round in LIV Golf history, as nine birdies and nine pars led to a 61.
To win then, Johnson would need to replicate his victory in Boston last year and try and overcome a three-man playoff. At the first playoff hole, he did just that, as his birdie putt never left the cup and dropped for a second LIV Golf title. After the round, the American admitted that: “Next time I’d like to win without going into a playoff. It would be a lot less stressful!”
It wasn't just the individual standings where we saw some excitement though, as Stinger GC picked up the team event title for the first time since LIV's inaugural event at Centurion last season.
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Once again, it was a tight affair, with five teams finishing within six shots of the South African quartet but, after Grace holed the key putt on the 18th, the Stinger GC side just pipped Johnson's 4 Aces by one stroke, with the Range Goats GC rounding out the final podium spot.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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