Dustin Johnson wins Genesis Open, dethrones Jason Day as world number 1
Dustin Johnson dominated to claim the Genesis Open by five strokes as he soared to the top of the world golf rankings.
Johnson carded a final-round 71 at Riviera Country Club on Sunday for his 13th PGA Tour title, finishing ahead of Thomas Pieters and Scott Brown at 17 under overall.
The reigning U.S. Open champion – a two-time runner-up at the Genesis Open formerly known as the Northern Trust Open – dropped three shots in the final round but was far too good as he dethroned Jason Day atop the rankings.
Australian Day ended the tournament two over the card following an even-par 71.
Johnson has now won at least one tournament on the PGA Tour the last 10 seasons. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus hold the record with 17 successive seasons. Tiger Woods won in 14 straight.
Sealed with a kiss. pic.twitter.com/ibYeAmdKEQ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 20, 2017
Rain dominated the event on Friday, washing out nearly the entire second round. Players tried to catch up on Saturday, but some of the field still had to play 36 holes on Sunday.
Johnson was one of those players, and he shot a seven-under-par 64 early on Sunday in his third round, then cruised around the course in the afternoon.
The winner … and NEW No. 1 golfer in the world!
Dustin Johnson wins the @genesisopen for his 13th PGA TOUR victory. pic.twitter.com/tqKInt4oOt
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 20, 2017
The 32-year-old American even had a stretch of 50 holes without a bogey.
Belgian bomber Pieters tied a tournament-low eight-under-par 63 in the fourth and final round, made complete with eight birdies and no bogeys to tie for second at 12 under.
American Brown finished alongside Pieters after firing a 67.
Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose (68) continued his fine 2017 form with yet another top-five finish.
The steady Englishman finished in a tie for fourth at 11 under, adding to a runner-up at the Sony Open and a tie for fourth at Torrey Pines.
Wesley Bryan (72), Kevin Na (70) and Charley Hoffman (67) also finished at 11 under.
Former world number one Adam Scott – who has an unofficial win and two runner-up finishes at Riviera – was eight shots adrift of Johnson.
Two-time major champion Jordan Spieth finished three strokes further back at six under.
