World No 1 Dustin Johnson recorded third prize in eight world starts with a two-stroke win at Saudi International at the Europe Tour; Justin Rose and Tony Finau share second place ahead of Victor Perez and Calum Hill
Le Ali Stafford
Last updated: 07/02/21 1:11 pm
Dustin Johnson was nominated for a two-shot victory at Saudi International
Dustin Johnson has extended his lead at the top of the world rankings after holding on for a two-stroke win at Saudi International.
The world No 1 posted two under 68s at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club to finish 15 under and win the event for the second time in three years.
Johnson took the two-pointer into the final day and did not leave the lead during Sunday’s tight end, despite struggling on the greens, to finish two ahead. on Justin Rose and Tony Finau.
Dustin Johnson (right) played alongside Victor Perez, who posted a man under 69 on Sunday
Rose would pile up 65 without a bogey and Finau held part of the lead to two late bogs, while Victor Perez finished fourth on 12 under alongside Calum Hill of Scotland.
Johnson opened with three persons just before he made a birdie tap-in at the fourth par-five, after missing the 12-foot Eagle’s attempt, as Perez picked up a bullet from close range at the second. and pulls a 20-footer at the ninth to reach the foot inside one of the leads.
Dustin Johnson won the Saudi International in 2019 and finished second to Graeme McDowell in 2020
The world No. 1 missed birdie chances from the inside six feet at the 10th and 12th, allowing Finau to move briefly into a portion of the lead by following a ninth of 33 with three consecutive birdies from the 11th.
Johnson bounced back with a 10-foot birdie at the 13th and took a delightful up and down effort to save par at the next, just for Perez to close the gap to one with a birdie at the 15th.
Perez’s hopes ended with a double bogey at the 16th, and Finau – playing in the group that preceded them – slipped back after following a three-put bogey on the same par-three by failing up and down from the sand at the next.
Tony Finau fell just short in his bid for the first global win since 2016
Johnson lost a six-footer to save par at the 16th but reworked with a birdie tap-in at the next to give a two-shot lead to the final par-five, where a two-putt par was enough to complete the first 2021 victory.
Around day 62 Rasmus Hojgaard led to a sixth-place division alongside Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Ryan Fox, while Thomas Pieters finished tied-10th on 10 under by George Coetzee.
Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia finished six hits back after 67 and 70 rounds respectively, with Bryson DeChambau posting an under-69 man to join Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer in a tied 18th.
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