Johnson returns to world no.1 with 11-shot win in Boston

Dustin Johnson is determined to hold onto the world number one spot for as long as possible after going back on top of the rankings with a stunning 11-shot victory at the Northern Trust at TPC Boston.

Johnson was 30 under par for the week with his closing 63 following rounds of 67, 60 and 64. The 36-year-old made six birdies and an eagle in his final round to secure a double digit margin of victory over Harris English with American Daniel Berger in third.

Johnson, who last held top spot in May 2019, is the fifth men’s player to be ranked number one this year. “I’d like to stay there for a little while,” Johnson said. “Obviously it’s been jumping around a bunch here the last few months, but the last time I was number one, I think I stayed there for quite some time, and that’s another goal of mine – to see how long I can stay at number one.”

Johnson did not quite reach the heights of his Friday 60, but his unblemished final round featured an eagle on the par-five second before he reeled off another four birdies on the front nine to move further away from English. He picked up another shot on the 12th and then, after an hour-long weather delay, rounded off his inevitable victory with a birdie at the last.

This was the first of three events in the US circuit’s FedEx Cup play-offs that will determine the PGA Tour champion for this season. The top 70 players in season points will advance to next week’s BMW Championship, which will decide the 30 players to compete in next month’s season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

Johnson said he was determined to finish as the season’s champion for the first time in his career. “It’s something I’ve been close to winning a few times, and it’s just something that I would really like to have on my resume when I’m done playing golf,” he added. It’s a big title. It means a lot to all the guys out here. It definitely means a lot to me.”

Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton faired best of the UK contingent finishing tied 25th on 11 under, with Ian Poulter two shots further behind and Tommy Fleetwood finishing tied 44th on eight under. Rory McIlroy shot a closing 69 to finish tied 65th on two under – 28 shots behind the winner.