Dustin Johnson Takes Advantage of Jason Day Collapse at WGC Bridgestone

Post by Golf Writer Kieran Clark

DUSTIN JOHNSON continued the stunning form that saw him secure his first major championship victory to win the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. The 32-year-old, who clinched the U.S. Open at Oakmont following a dramatic and controversial finish two weeks ago, returned to action at the prestigious event in Ohio, and completed a magical weekend with two successive rounds of 66 on Saturday and Sunday edging him triumphantly ahead of a pack that included world number one Jason Day.

For the Australian, it would be a final day of disappointment, with the 28-year-old having led the way following a scrambling masterclass that saw him break-par despite hitting only three fairways. Sadly, for the reigning PGA champion and state resident, those cracks would eventually show in his game, with four dropped shots on his final four hours to slip from a winning position.

However, in addition to a supreme aptitude for the game of golf, the Queenslander is a resilient and determined character, who, despite this setback, will be even more driven to succeed when the 145^th Open Championship at Royal Troon rolls around in just over a week’s time.

“I feel like my game is where it has been all year,” Johnson said afterwards. “I felt like I’ve been playing really solid all year. I’ve been driving it great and wedging it good. I just haven’t been putting as well as I’d like to. But the last couple of weeks I’ve just putted a little bit better.”

He certainly has. The eventual champion in Akron had started the final round three shots back of the imperious Aussie, and quickly made a move with three birdies in his opening six holes. But he made his jump to the line at just the right time, with a further three gains on the back-nine taking him to seven-under for the championship, which gave him the chance to set a clubhouse target, despite a bogey on the 18^th that could have derailed his opportunity to claim back-to-back titles.

Day had earlier reaffirmed his status as the leader with an eagle on the second, but it was ultimately a quiet front-nine, which didn’t take him to an insurmountable position. He would edge closer, however, with a birdie on the tenth, but, with the vice of pressure tightening, the game’s most dominant player since last summer unravelled with a bogey on the 15^th, a double on the par five 16^th, and ultimately a dropped shot on the last as he sought a miracle eagle to tie.

America’s Scott Piercy, runner-up in his national championship a fortnight ago, finished in second, with the ever-consistent Matt Kuchar, Kevin Chappell and two-time major champion Jordan Spieth taking third. The 54-hole leader was in fourth, reeling after a rare chink in the armour was exposed.

For Dustin Johnson, it has been a stunning few weeks, made even more satisfying by the presence of his young son, Tatum, who spent the weekend with his father. “Just me and him hanging out this weekend. It’s perfect,” Johnson said to PGA TOUR.Com. “He’s most important, and whether I shoot a good score or a bad score, when I see him, it doesn’t matter.”

In Johnson's Bag at WGC Bridgestone Invitational:

Driver: M1 / 10.5* / Fujikura Speeder Evolution 2.0 Tour Spec 661X / 45.75" / D4 swingweight

Fairway: M1 / 17* / Aldila RIP Alpha 90X

UDI (#2) / Project X HZRDUS Black 105X

Irons: Tour Preferred MB ('14) 3-PW / True Temper DG Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Tour Preferred EF Satin Chrome (54 & 60 degrees) / KBS Tour 130X Black Nickel

Glove: Tour Preferred

Ball: Tour Preferred X ('14) (#1: in aspiration of one-putting every hole)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeoDoW9j6Qg

Open de France

THONGCHAI JAIDEE produced a brilliant and assured display to win the 100^th Open de France at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris. The future Ryder Cup venue can be treacherous and demanding, but the 46-year-old from Thailand was comfortable throughout, proving that he continues to get better with age by securing his eighth European Tour title by four shots.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari completed his best performance of the season to finish in second, with the 33-year-old from Turin also securing his place at next week’s Open Championship. He shot through the field with a 65 on Sunday, which memorably included four consecutive birdies on the front-nine, before being capped up with two closing threes to provide the two-time Ryder Cup player with a huge confidence boost ahead of a hectic month that includes two majors and the Olympic Games.

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy finished in third after a week that provided more than a few flashes of brilliance, not least a back-nine of 30 on Saturday. The former world number one has made some changes to his swing that remain to be fully embedded, but the 27-year-old Northern Irishman, who has dropped out of the events in Rio, is confident going into Troon and the Open.

“It's been a good week, just to see where I'm at with my game,” he said afterwards on EuropeanTour.Com. “There were signs that it was really good and heading in the right direction and then today, again, there were some times that it was good.

“But there were a few swings I made on the back nine that I need to work on. I was getting quite steep with my irons, which has been a problem anyway. So I just need to try to work on that going forward.

“I'm confident where I'm at and even though this week it didn't feel that good, I'm obviously doing some things right. So I'll go forward and keep working hard and hopefully I'll be ready for Troon.

“It was really disappointing, especially at St Andrews last year, not to be able to defend. The last time I played the Open I won it, so good memories and hopefully I can play similar to the way I did (at Royal) Liverpool and give myself a chance.”

For Jaidee, who becomes the oldest winner of the Open de France since it joined the continental circuit in 1972, it was a special few days in the shadow of Paris.

“I know the golf course is fantastic. I've been here many, many years and I think especially this week, it's a special week for me to win the tournament out here.

“Sometimes you need one perfect week. You can't do well every week. This week is my perfect week because I didn't miss much. Anything I missed, I found I could lay up and make a good shot and make par and that's it.”