Imperial. Dustin Johnson has proven himself to be the best golfer in the world, winning the Augusta Masters without shaking, the second Grand Slam tournament of his career after the 2016 US Open on Sunday in Georgia. The world No. 1 succeeds Tiger Woods, who, as tradition dictates, as the previous winner, helped him put on the famous green jacket that makes all the little golfers on the planet from Anglet dream Augusta.
With a total of -20, Johnson broke the tournament record (18) set by Woods in 1997 and equaled by Jordan Spieth in 2015. “For me the Masters is the biggest tournament in the world. I dreamed of winning it one day, that dream has come true. It’s just incredible, ”he responded, moved.
An emotion contained, because he had to control it all day to maintain the lead of four strokes counted at the start of this 4th lap. He even increased it to five at the expense of the Australian Cameron Smith and the South Korean Im Sung-jae, unexpected dolphins.
“I was nervous all day, but I’m very proud of the way I controlled things and the way I golfed until the end,” said the 36-year-old. , who grew up an hour’s drive north of the Augusta National Golf Club.
End of bad luck
He is the first world number 1 to win there since Woods in 2002. Proof that the prestigious Major is not offered to just any favorite of the moment. But Johnson is so familiar with excellence this year, disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic which imposes closed doors everywhere on the PGA Tour and which he contracted barely a month ago, that he even managed to conquer the Indian sign to Augusta.
In the lead after 54 holes, he finally managed not to crack, despite the vortices of the wind and the pressure, to triumph at the end of this last lap, he who had failed the first four times he was in such a position, at the ‘US Open 2010, 2015 and 2018, as well as the PGA Championship this summer. This success is his 4th of the season, after those won at the Travelers Championship, the Northern Trust and the Tour Championship, his 24th since he turned professional in 2007.
The American was slightly scared by chaining two bogeys on the 4th and 5th holes, notably letting Im Sung-jae come close to a length. But two birdies in the 6th and 7th, added to the one made in the 3rd, restored the distance. He managed three more in the 13th, 14th and 15th which killed all suspense.
Woods’ ordeal, three times in the water
His pursuers were not unworthy, also improving their score of the day before. The young Im Sung-jae, 22, will long remember his very first participation in this Major, because his total of -15, although insufficient, remains nonetheless impressive. “To be honest, my goal was to pass the cut. Finishing 2nd is incredible and makes me very proud ”, reacted the South Korean, who discovered this course on Monday. Cameron Smith, who shares 2nd place, outperformed 5th gleaned from Augusta in 2018 and became the first player to return a card in the 60s (67, 68, 69, 69) in each Masters round. (by 72).
Behind them, eight strokes behind Johnson, is world No.3 Justin Thomas, followed by South African Dylan Frittelli (-11) and Rory McIlroy (-11), author of a good comeback after a disastrous start on Thursday . But for Tiger Woods, on the other hand, it’s the other way around. Despite two promising first laps, he experienced a ordeal on the 12th hole, a par 3, which saw him send the ball three times into the river.
It took him ten strokes to put an end to the ruthless Amen Corner, his worst ever record in a Major, according to the PGA. “It will give me more experience at Rae’s Creek,” the river below the green, he said, philosopher.
Proof that golf can be ruthless, even for its greatest champions.
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Article original de: www.leparisien.fr
