Johnson seeks to shake off Riviera bridesmaid label
PACIFIC PALISADES (United States): Dustin Johnson has done everything but win at the Riviera Country Club course, but he hopes to rectify that in Sunday’s final round of the PGA Northern Trust Open.
The 31-year-old American lost in a sudden-death playoff to James Hahn last year and finished second in 2014 to this year’s thirdround leader, Bubba Watson.
Johnson is tied for second after shooting a three-under 68 Saturday at Riviera, putting himself in position to finally break through for a victory.
“I’m definitely happy with my position,” Johnson said. “I think the last three rounds I’ve played pretty solid.
“A few mistakes here and there but it’s going to happen. I bounced back right after making bogey and I made a birdie. I feel like I’m swinging it well.”
Johnson is just one stroke behind Watson, who came from four shots back on the final day to claim the victory two years ago. Last year, Johnson lost when Hahn made a 25-foot putt on the third playoff hole.
Asked what a victory on Sunday would mean to him, Johnson said, “I want to win any tournament. But yeah, this is a tournament that I really enjoy playing. I have done well here in the past. I would love to win this one.”
This is the first tournament of 2016 in which Johnson has really hit his stride. It is his ninth start in the Northern Trust Open and he has finished in the top 10 five times.
“There are a lot of holes where you can make birdie,” he said. “I have to just keep doing what I am doing. Get it in the fairway and then attack the course when I can.”
Johnson failed to break 70 in any of his four rounds while tying for 41st last week at Pebble Beach. Two weeks before that, he played the weekend in 74-80 to drop into a tie for 18th after being in contention in the Farmers Insurance Open.
Johnson will be paying close attention to the 569-yard 17th hole on Sunday, which is the only parfive he hasn’t birdied this week.
“Last year I bogeyed it, which was awful,” Johnson said. “I hit it in the bunker with a lob wedge. Hopefully tomorrow I will do a little better.”