Dustin Johnson overcomes controversial ruling to win first major at U.S. Open

 

Dustin Johnson outlasted some of the biggest names in golf, battled with a first round weather delay, and overcame one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the PGA to win the first major tournament of his career Sunday at the 116^th U.S. Open.

Oakmont Country Club, considered one of the most challenging courses on the tour, lived up to its reputation throughout the open.

Only four of the 165 players who entered the tournament Thursday finished with a score under par: Jim Furyk, Scott Piercy, and Shane Lowry all finished tied for second with a -1, three strokes behind Johnson’s -4.

Johnson, 32, had 11 top-10 finishes in major tournaments heading into Oakmont. However, he had never been able to come away with a victory. At times throughout the weekend, it looked as if Johnson would again fall short of that elusive first major win.

Johnson was one of the nearly 100 players whose first round was delayed by a massive rainstorm that bore down on western Pennsylvania as tournament play got underway on Thursday.

Three weather stoppages in round one might have made it difficult for a lesser player to maintain any rhythm in the early going; Johnson had no issues. He finished with a 67 in round one.

The 31-year-old South Carolina Native headed into Sunday’s action well-positioned for a win after scoring a 69 in round two and 71 in round three, which placed him atop the leaderboard headed into the final day.

His eventual three-shot victory could have easily been overshadowed due to one of most controversial decisions in the recent history of pro golf.

On hole No .12, Johnson was told by USGA officials that he may be assessed a one-stroke penalty for ball movement on the green at hole No. 5, despite inconclusive video evidence as to whether Johnson was, in fact, responsible for the ball’s movement.

Here it is, in all its glory: Dustin Johnson controversy on hole 5 https://t.co/ntISGSE4Xi

— Travis Jaudon (@JaudonSports) June 19, 2016

When the news of the potential penalty trickled out, social media was set ablaze by media, fans, and even players who questioned the USGA’s ruling.

This is ridiculous… No penalty whatsoever for DJ. Let the guy play without this crap in his head. Amateur hour from @USGA

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) June 19, 2016

Due to USGA rules, penalties cannot be assessed until after the end of a round. So, Johnson played through the final six holes of golf without knowing what his accurate score was.

“It was something they said they were gonna look at when we got done,” Johnson said. “So, I just tried to focus on what I was doing, not worrying about the penalty stroke, and just playing golf from there to the house.”

Ultimately, it didn’t matter.

Johnson took things into his own hands on the back nine, ending any speculation about whether one stroke would impact the outcome of the tournament when he birdied No. 18 from five feet out.

By the time the penalty was officially assessed to Johnson’s score, he already had the silver trophy in his hands and a winner’s share of $1.8 million.

“I feel like it was well-deserved,” Johnson said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work here lately, and all of the things that’s happened to me in majors in the past few years, this  one was definitely sweet and well-deserved for sure.”

The PGA Tour will resume action next week in Bethesda, MD when the Quicken Loans National kicks off from Congressional Country Club on Thursday.