Dustin Johnson Earns First Career Win at Canadian Open

The sound of cheers is something Dustin Johnson has grown accustomed to, but hearing “O Canada” is a new one. As one of the more popular PGA Tour players, it was one that made the American feel welcome and humbled.

After a rain delay of almost two hours, Johnson moved into the lead after pulling away from the rest of the pack to win the RBC Canadian Open. Johnson shot a 6-under par in the final round and 23-under for the tournament. His efforts earned him $1,116,000, and the honour of defending his title at next year’s Open.

Commenting on the support from the crowd, Johnson said,

“I did hear it a couple of times, them singing ‘O Canada’. Especially with the amount of support I get when I come up here, it’s been great. Everyone’s been great to me. I definitely feel like an honorary Canadian.”

Johnson, who hails from Columbia, South Carolina, is ranked #1 in the world. The Glenn Abby has been a favourite of the golfer, and after two second place finishes in 2013 and 2016, he now can add a first place finish at the famed Oakville, Ontario golf course.

While Johnson is from the U.S, his fiancée’s father is from Brantford, Ontario. Her father is none other than Wayne Gretzky, and fans at the Abby did not let Johnson forget that as many wore Edmonton Oilers jerseys with some even calling out “Wayne” and “Paulina”.

Johnson was well aware of his ties to Canada thanks to Paulina’s family. He commented that,

“It was great all week, I had a lot of support out there, a lot of fans following me. With my ties to Canada with Paulina and then her dad being Wayne Gretzky, it definitely helps. I get a lot of fans that pull for Wayne, they pull for me. It was a lot of fun out there this week. I thought I had a lot of support. It definitely helps.”

PGA Tour

South Korea’s Whee Kim and Byeong Hun An, who took an early lead in the first round finished second and third, and Keegan Bradley finished fourth. Hun An watched as Johnson moved out in front as he had a front row seat being paired with the American during the final round.

Joking about the final round and the crowds, Hun An said,

“I think they came to watch me. Unfortunately I couldn’t get in the playoff. But seeing the No. 1 in the world playing golf is quite exciting, and he’s pretty good. But I tried really hard and tried to get to my second place.”

Dundas, Ontario’s Mackenzie Hughes finished 15th and earned $173,600 for his efforts and Whee Kim and Hun An both earned $545,600. There has not been a Canadian since Pat Fletcher won the Open in 1954. That win came when the Open was held at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver.

Hughes also won the Rivermead Cup as the Canadian with the lowest score at the national championship. Hughes acknowledged that the Cup has a long history in Canada, and is a pretty good consolation prize. Hughes added,

“The depth of talent in Canadian golf with 21 Canadians here this week, and not one guy in the field that was Canadian, you would say, ‘oh, you’ve got no chance. Every one of those Canadian players are just so talented.”

The beginning of the fourth round saw Johnson, Kevin Tway and Hun An tied. Johnson scored a bogey and seven birdies to separate himself from the leaders. He managed to score birdies on the first two holes before play was suspended due to lightning and rain. After officials gave the all-clear, Johnson came back with a vengeance scoring four birdies to secure the win.

For Johnson, it was good to get a fast start on the other leaders. He added,

“That’s definitely always good, especially when the leaderboard is so bunched up. I just needed to get out in front. If I could get ahead I felt like I could play well and keep myself in the lead for the rest of the day.”

Laurence Applebaum, the CEO of Golf Canada felt that the victory was appropriate for the Abby after it was revealed the course has been designated for future land development. Commenting, Applebaum said,

“This event has been one of our best ever. Started at the front of the week with Triple Crown winner Lee Trevino showing up for the Hall of Fame, and then the field we had. DJ, four of the five U.S. Open combatants, Bubba Watson, and the great Canadian roster. And then our world No. 1 showing his class, makes for a spectacular finish.”

The Canadian Open will now move to the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in 2019. The Open will also be moved to the early part of June to fit in more closely with the PGA Tour’s schedule. The PGA Tour now moved on to Reno for the Barracuda Championship, and for punters looking to place bets on the PGA tour, why not register with our recommended sports betting site, Spin Palace Sports, a Canadian friendly sportsbook that is offering new punters a 100% up to $200 welcome bonus. Along with the welcome bonus, Spin Palace plays host to a wide range of sports betting promotions and with its stellar reputation, is one of the best for Canadian punters.