Johnson eases to another victory at Saudi International
KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Top-ranked Dustin Johnson won the Saudi International for the second time in three years on Sunday after shooting a 2-under 68 in the final round to finish two strokes clear of Justin Rose and Tony Finau.
Johnson, who was also runner-up in 2020, recorded his highest scoring round of the tournament at Royal Greens Golf Club but still finished top of the leaderboard on 15-under overall.
Scotland´s Calum Hill eagled the par-five 18th to finish in a tie for fourth with France´s Victor Perez.
Johnson took a two-shot lead into the final round but the Masters champion struggled on the greens and was caught by Finau when his fellow American made a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th.
However, Johnson edged back in front with a birdie on the 13th and was given some welcome breathing space when Finau dropped shots on the 16th and 17th and Perez double-bogeyed the 16th.
Johnson also dropped a shot on the 16th to see his lead cut to one, but responded in style with a massive tee shot on the next and a pitch to two feet to set up a decisive birdie.
"I saw the leaderboard a little bit, the guys were playing well but I kept giving myself a lot of chances," Johnson told Sky Sports. "I didn´t hole many of them but finally holed a really nice putt on 13.
"Seventeen was a really nice birdie, hit a great drive there and a nice little chip but it was tough all day today.
"I don´t get to play around the world as much as I´d like to but it´s definitely nice to get a win not on my tour and after Augusta, to get my first win again, obviously the game is still in really good form and I´m really excited about the rest of the year."
Rasmus Hojgaard, Ryan Fox, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton finished in a four-way tie for sixth on 11 under.
The Saudi International is the last of three events in the "Gulf Swing" that launches 2021 on the European Tour.
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