'Never seen this': Golf world in shock over No.1's extraordinary meltdown
World No.1 Dustin Johnson has shocked the golf world with a stunning meltdown at the RBC Heritage.
Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung held steady when it counted and won his first PGA Tour tournament with a one-stroke victory over Matt Kuchar, as Johnson stumbled badly on the back nine.
Pan needed just 47 putts in his final 36 holes to take advantage of Johnson’s meltdown.
Johnson, a 20-time winner on the PGA Tour, was leading after three rounds at his home state event, but had a disastrous 77 to tie for 28th at four under.
He dropped seven shots in five holes after be made bogeys on the 11, 12th and 13th holes and double bogeys on the 14th and 15th.
Winning is hard, even for golf's best.
DJ was the 54-hole leader @RBC_Heritage and finished T28. pic.twitter.com/seU5vXcTj8
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2019
Fans and pundits couldn’t believe what they were seeing from Johnson, with some calling it the worst they’d ever seen him play.
Dont think ive ever seen Dustin Johnson play like this 😳😳⛳
— Dan (@DanSim32) April 21, 2019
Worst I’ve ever seen Dustin Johnson play in a 4 hole span. Time to move him off the world #1, not even close.
— BeatinTheBookie.com®️ (@BeatinTheBookie) April 21, 2019
Dustin Johnson making me feel a lot better about my back nine at Harbour Town four years ago.
— Josh Berhow (@Josh_Berhow) April 21, 2019
This must be one of the worst rounds of golf Dustin Johnson has ever played
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) April 21, 2019
Today was the third time Dustin Johnson shot 77 or worse in the final round of a PGA Tour event in which he held the 54-hole lead ('10 US Open, '17 WGC-HSBC). In the last 15 years, no other player has done that more than once.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) April 21, 2019
Highlights from Dustin Johnson’s back nine today: pic.twitter.com/gjOAp3rikf
— Brandon Brown (@branowar) April 21, 2019
Live look at Dustin Johnson’s final round pic.twitter.com/4q3C5hC3V6
— BigGameJames24 (@biggamejdee) April 21, 2019
Live look at Dustin Johnson pic.twitter.com/NdiPJAhMGq
— kevbo9, NBA draft entrant (@kevbo9) April 21, 2019
Dustin Johnson on the back nine #TheHeritage pic.twitter.com/Q7vzdd1DtX
— Josh Perkey (@BigPerk42) April 21, 2019
‘Hard to believe’
Along with $1,242,000 ($A1,735,000) winner’s cheque, the title opens a world of opportunities for the 27-year-old Taiwanese Pan.
He’s exempt on tour through 2020-21, in line to make the President’s Cup International team this year and will have an opportunity he’s dreamed about since taking up the game in the mid-1990s by playing at Augusta National.
“It’s still really hard for me to believe,” he said.
“I’m processing. My phone has been vibrating the last 10 minutes.
“I’m so happy I finally got it done.”
He needed only 47 putts over his final 36 holes @RBC_Heritage.@CTPanGolf earned his first win on TOUR Sunday.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/Nhoitcd8YT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2019
Pan shot a four-under 67 to finish at 12-under 272, a stroke ahead of Matt Kuchar and two in front of Patrick Cantlay, Scott Piercy (both 69s) and Shane Lowry (70).
Marc Leishman – the only Australian to make the cut – had an even-par 71 to finish at three over and tied for 58th.
Pan won twice on the PGA Tour Canada in 2015 when he turned professional and finished second twice in PGA Tour events, once at the Farmers Insurance Open in 2017 and last year at the Wyndham Championship.
A trophy and a jacket for @CTPanGolf. 🏆#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/VwL0vBWh1N
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2019
with agencies
