Dustin Johnson
A two stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker cost Irmo’s Dustin Johnson a spot in a playoff and a chance to win the PGA Championship which was eventually won by German Martin Kaymer who defeated Bubba Watson in the three hole showdown.
However, the story became Johnson who had a one shot lead on the 18th tee until he put his drive into a bunker. But Johnson didn’t realize he was in an actual bunker because he was surrounded by the gallery and the foot traffic had worn down the grass.
Johnson did ground his club before the shot and eventually bogeyed the hole putting him in the playoff. But PGA officials immediately called the two stroke penalty and Johnson was left with a 73 instead of a 71 and a chance at his first major title. Instead of a chance at first, Johnson finished in a tied for fifth.
As for the playoff, Kaymar and Watson exchanged birdies over the first two holes. But on the third hole Watson hit his approach into the water and made double bogey while Kaymar made a bogey to win his first major championship.
The day wasn’t a total wash for Johnson. He clinched a spot on the Ryder Cup team with his tie for fifth place Sunday.
Her is Johnson’s interview with David Feherty of CBS in the players’ lockerroom moments after he got the word of his two stroke penalty.
dustin johnson david fehrety interview
Despite the disapointment of yesterday and his meltdown in the final round of the US Open where he led after 54 holes, Johnson certainly has proven this season he has major championship talent. It’s only a matter of time before he joins Lucas Glover as South Carolinians residing among golf’s elite.
