Dustin Johnson holds off Tommy Fleetwood to win in Mexico
Fleetwood holed from 40 feet on the last to complete a superb 66 and secure the biggest payday of his career of more than $1m and open up a huge lead over Fabrizio Zanotti at the head of the Race to Dubai. While Johnson’s already impressive power was enhanced, the course is heavily tree-lined and tee shots and approaches to greens required more placement than power. Still, it was a successful return to competitive golf for McIlroy, who was making his first start since a rib injury forced him out in January.
It wrapped up a great week in Mexico City, which hosted this World Golf Championships event after it had been at Trump Doral in South Florida the past seven years. Even something as simple as parring the last hole of a tournament to win it all (which he did to win on Sunday) used to be a problem for the 32 year-old, but those days seem to be long-gone for Dustin.
“I’ve shot numbers like this hitting shots like that and salvaging strokes, but I’ve been playing better than that”, Mickelson said, clearly disappointed.
“The undisputed World No.1 is now one the bookies favourites to win The Masters and isn’t letting the pressure of being the world’s best player get to him, telling the media after his win “…
It’s not hard to see why Dustin Johnson is the world’s current No. 1 with five victories out of his last 15 PGA Tour starts.
Just ask Spain’s Jon Rahm, who was tied for the lead with three holes to go before three-putting the 16th and 17th, eventually carding a 68 to finish tied for third with Ross Fisher, two shots behind Johnson on 12-under par. “You know the greens, they’re tough to putt on”.
Mickelson also spoke about how far he was hitting the ball after his birdie finish left him atop a leaderboard that also included PGA Championship victor Jimmy Walker, fellow American Ryan Moore, Englishman Ross Fisher and young Spaniard Jon Rahm.
A victory in his maiden WGC event looked possible when Rahm moved to 14 under - and a one-shot lead - with birdies on 14 and 15, but successive bogeys followed to leave him in a tie for third.
Johnson, not a player to show his emotions, said he was proud of his performance having won in his first outing since taking the World Number One crown from Jason Day.
“I try to put myself in a position to win every golf tournament”, he said.
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters shared fifth with American Justin Thomas, a further shot adrift.
Johnson’s next tournament will be the WGC-Dell Match Play at Austin Country Club (March 22-26).
“I feel like my game’s in very good shape”, Johnson said after the win.