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Maiden win for Johnson

Two late birdies give rookie a first victory in New York

Last updated: 6th October 2008

Johnson: Maiden victory

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US unless stated
-9 D Johnson
-8 R Allenby (Aus)
-7 C Howell
-7 W Austin
-7 D Love

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Rookie Dustin Johnson made two birdies in the last two holes to grab a maiden Tour victory ahead of Robert Allenby at the Turning Stone Championship in New York.

Australian Allenby lost out by a shot after Johnson's late birdies saw him post a score of nine-under-par for the tournament after a three-under-par final round of 69.

Allenby had started the day with a two-shot lead and was three under at the turn, but a bogey at the 15th proved crucial on his way to a 70.

Johnson's first win came largely thanks to five birdies scored in his final round.

The 24-year-old made a 40-foot birdie putt at the par-three sixth hole before picking up another shot at the par-five eighth.

A bogey at the 13th saw him slip back from Allenby but when the latter did the same at the 15th the door was back open.

Johnson kept up the pressure with an up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the 16th before scoring back-to-back birdies.

"Coming down 17 I knew I had to go birdie-birdie," Johnson said.

"Robert played very well, just a few putts here and there he couldn't get to go in or he would be sitting here.

"I don't really quite know what's going on yet. Obviously it's a great feeling.

"I feel like I've worked real hard the last month to get my game in shape to be in the position to win a tournament, so I'm very excited."

Johnson's victory has also enabled him to secure his playing privileges on the USPGA Tour for next season.

He added: "That's a big relief. Coming into the week I obviously was 128 on the money list.

"I was playing really well, so I wasn't like, you know, scared or nervous about not having my card. But it's definitely a big relief."

Disappointment

Despite being placed a healthy 13th on the money list coming into the tournament, Allenby was nevertheless chasing his first Tour victory in seven years.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "I came here to win."

"I haven't won for a while on the Tour. I've played so well this year. I only had my eyes set on first, not second."

The Melbourne native blamed his capitulation on his putting, epitomised by the 12-foot birdie putt he left just shy of the cup at the 18th.

"I guess I could look at the putter today and say I left everything short," Allenby added.

"Yesterday (Saturday) I probably had the worst putting round in my life. You know, it's hard. The greens are really bumpy and soft. I know it's the same for everyone, but I just lost my nerve yesterday with the putter.

"I tried to regain it. I took the putter home last night and slept with it, handcuffed it to the bed and handcuffed me to the other side of it.

"Dustin played well the last four or five holes, all credit. He played the shots that needed to be played and made some good putts and I just didn't make the putts."

Seven players finished in a tie for third place two shots off the lead, including Davis Love, Charles Howell and Woody Austin.

However, Tag Ridings, who had held a share of the lead heading into the final round, racked up four bogeys and a double bogey on his way to a 79.