Dustin Johnson's long wait for a golf tournament win is over after the American won the latest LIV Golf event in Boston in sensational fashion.
The two-time major champion, who resigned his PGA Tour card in June, sank a 35-putt for eagle at the first hole of the sudden-death playoff hole to beat Joaquin Niemann and Anirban Lahiri. The triumph landed him a cool £3.48 million, taking his total LIV earnings to £8.6 million in just three months.
And it couldn't have been sealed in better style, with his monster effort on the replayed 18th hole seemingly gathering pace before rattling the back of the cup and resting in the hole. It prompted huge roars from the crowd in attendance at The Oaks, with Johnson reacting with a volatile 'high-five' to brother and caddie Austin Johnson.
But a big as the moment was for 'DJ', it was arguably seismic for LIV Golf. For all the riches on offer to golf stars, which has sealed the signings of the likes of Brooks Koepka, Bryson Dechambeau, and most notably Open champion Cameron Smith, the quality of golf had previously underwhelmed.
The previous three event winners, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, and Henrik Stenson, all got over the line in what could be considered mediocre tournaments that failed to excite fans. But the first ever playoff finale on the Saudi-backed tour was the culmination of a thrilling final day.
Johnson needed a birdie on the final hole to notch a first win since capturing the Saudi International back in February 2021, but a poor drive left him scrambling for par and he finished at 15-under. That left him level with Lahiri and Niemann.
Indian player Lahiri had given himself a golden chance to win it outright on the 18th, hitting a fairway metal to five feet. However, his eagle putt agonisingly rolled around the edge of the cup.
Lee Westwood finished one shot out of a playoff despite a final round of 62, with his chances ruined by two dropped shots in his final three holes. Much of the media scrutiny centred around World No 2 Smith after his £118 million move, and he too was in contention before an errant tee shot on the 17th.
He still finished with a 63 to finish tied-fourth with Westwood. That was still enough to earn the pair £870,000 each, while American Talor Gooch, who led after 36 of the 54 holes, was sixth.
But it was Johnson's final moment which undoubtedly stole the show, and the LIV commentary team didn't waste the moment: "Victory for Dustin Johnson on the first playoff hole in LIV Golf history," shouted Arlo White.
"Extraordinary by DJ. He takes out the clean sweep. 'DJ' shout the crowd - he's our champion in Boston." It wasn't quite clear what 'clean sweep' White was referring to, but Johnson's delight was evident regardless.
The next rebel event takes place in Chicago on September 16. And the latest showing will inevitably sound as a warning signal to the status quo as Greg Norman's divisive venture gathers momentum.
