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From the PGA tour: Dustin Johnson returns to Whistling Straits in quest for major glory

American Zach Johnson’s second major title after his triumph at the Open Championship in Scotland leaves his countryman Dustin Johnson still seeking his elusive first major win

Dale Dhillon (The Jakarta Post)
Atlanta
Mon, July 27, 2015

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From the PGA tour: Dustin Johnson returns to Whistling Straits in quest for major glory

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merican Zach Johnson'€™s second major title after his triumph at the Open Championship in Scotland leaves his countryman Dustin Johnson still seeking his elusive first major win. After dusting off his devastating defeat at the US Open, Dustin Johnson came back strong at St. Andrews, the site of the 144th Open Championship, to take the lead after both the first round at seven under par and the second round at 10 under.

The second round had taken over 35 hours to conclude because of inclement weather. Dustin held a one stroke lead over England'€™s Danny Willett going into the third round.

He was asked about his performance after the second round, to which he said: '€œYeah, I'€™m very pleased with my score in round two. I guess yesterday when we started the round it was difficult on the way out and then coming back in it even played more difficult. This morning when we started, it was almost impossible, but managed to hang in there and then when we just went out and restarted, it was very tough, but managed to make some good pars and then birdie the last hole. So it was a good way to finish the day.'€

Unfortunately, he wasn'€™t able to hang on as he faded in round three, shooting a three over par 75, leaving him at seven under for the event. Johnson was asked if he was frustrated after the third round.

'€œYeah, I mean, a little bit. I felt like I was playing pretty good. Obviously, today is the easier of the three days that we'€™ve played golf by quite a few shots. I played the worst round and I don'€™t feel like I played that bad. It'€™s definitely frustrating,'€ he said.

Johnson was now five strokes behind leaders Jason Day of Australia, Irish Amateur Paul Dunne and South Africa'€™s Louis Oosthuizen, all of whom were at 12 under par.

His frustration would continue when he posted another three over par 75 after Monday'€™s final round to finish at four under par for the event, a full 11 shots off the lead.

Dustin Johnson now sets his sights at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, the final major of the year being held in mid-August. Whistling Straits incidentally was the site of another one of Dustin'€™s near misses for major championship glory.

In 2010, he missed the playoff by two strokes when he mistakenly grounded his club in a bunker incurring a two-stroke penalty. The event was won by German Martin Kaymer. Johnson goes to Whistling Straits hoping that his fortunes may finally turn for the better after coming very close to victory at the US Open and leading after two rounds at the Open Championship.

He will be pursued by Spieth, who at only 22 years of age certainly wants to make a mark by winning his third major championship in a single year.

Dustin'€™s chances are good since he played exceptionally well the last time at Whistling Straits, has shown resilience after his loss at the US Open and is a long-ball hitter. Jordan Spieth is the favorite to win the PGA Championship. The injured world number one, Rory McIlroy, is the next favorite if he does indeed end up playing in the championship. Despite his recent mishaps, Dustin has 10 to one odds and is the third favorite to win the event. At only 31 years of age, athletic and bestowed with exceptional talent, Johnson has many more opportunities to win major championships. There will, however, be no sweeter redemption for Johnson than a win at Whistling Straits after his careless misfortune there in 2010.

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